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Photographic 

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Corporation 


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Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  nrtlsroreproductions  historiques 


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Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


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obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

30X 

P 

12X 

16X 

20X 

28X 

32X 

ills 

iu 

Jifier 

me 

age 


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filmage. 

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d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terrninant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbols  — ►  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN". 

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filmds  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diffdrents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  fitre 
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et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  ndcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mdthode. 


ata 


Blure, 


3 


i2X 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

:Ti^ 


AN 


HISTORICAL  DISCOURSE 


ON  THE  OCCASIdK  OP 


%^t  Ctiitcniiial  Cfltkation 


BATTLE  OF  LAKE  GEORGE,  1755. 


DKl.IVERED     AT 


THE  COVBT-HOnSE,  CALDWELL,  K.  Y,,  SEPTEMBER  8.  1855, 


BY 


CORTLANDT  VAN  RENSSELAER. 


WITH   NOTES   AND   A    MAP. 


I 


1 1 


ITBMSHED    BY    KKQUKST. 

1882 


N"' 


1^> 


^^fl-V/ASW^^ 


f\\ 


PHILADELPHIA. 

1856. 


1^^^„^J!^^ 


<:S 


M 


m 


^m-}^f'*y.\'--!tt^'^f^*l_»ni;r^^jmiyL^t 


^^^.Tg^T?yJi;^-^|-^;;^''*-^^^r:l■ST-w■alu^|jj^■*3^ 


.V 


L.. 


.■i*%..^ 


V" 


;*_--, 


AN 


HISTOEICAL  DISCOURSE 


ON  THE   OCCASION  OP 


06^ 


W^t  Cattatnid  CHcirittion 


OF  THE 


BATTLE  OF  LAKE  GEORGE,  1755. 


DELIVERED    AT 


THE  COTTRT-HOUSE,  CAIDWEIL.  N.  Y.,  SEPTEMBEE  8,  1866, 

CORTLANDT  VAN  RENSSELAER. 


WITH  NOTB8  AND  A  MAP. 


'S>\ 


\o>. 


'^-n- 


r  ''/ 


PHILADELPHIA, 

1856.        V 


\^— ^ 


^1  } 

I 
\ 

i 


h      i-) 


:  5 

V 

-1  ■    ' 


! 

1    1: 


I    • 


i 


r^Mw^i^w^w^w^ifiWi 


E^  Iff 

■y^7 


The  avails  of  the  sale  of  this  Historical  Discourse  will  he 
appropriated  toimrds  the  erection  of  the  projected  Monuments 
AT  Laice  George  and  vicinity. 


Tho  reader  is  referred  to  Note  XXVII.  in  the  Appendix. 


btkheotvi'ed  by  l.  johnsox  k  co. 

PIlIl.AIIKLt'lllA. 
C.  SHERMAN  AND  SOK,  HllJIIEBS. 


course  will  le 
I  Monuments 


idix. 


TO 


THE  CITIZENS  OE  WAHREN  COUNTY, 


AXU 


■        THE  VISITORS  AT  LAKE  GEORGE, 

8^15  Jlistourse         - 

:•■'"'■'>''■':  ;   ■     -.1.    }  .'■..  ■'.-,,. 

OS  .  'V 

THE  HISTORY   OF  LOCAL  EVENTS 

IS  KESPEOTFULLY  INSCRIBED  BY 

THE  AUTHOR.  ■     , 


III 


u 


I 


» 


Tins  discourse,  written  nt  the  Lake  IIousb  under  circumstances  not  tho 
most  fnvournble  to  historical  and  literary  labour,  is  submitted  to  the  public  at  tho 
request  of  tho  committee  of  arranfjcments  for  tho  Centennial  Celebration. 

Tho  discourse  originally  appeared  in  tho  columns  of  tho  Alhani/  Morning 
ExprcM  of  September  12th,  1855.  A  few  corrections  and  additions  have  been 
now  made,  and  various  notes  are  appended  on  topics  connected  with  tho  history 
of  events  at  the  lake. 

Tho  author's  interest  in  tho  general  history  may  have  tempted  him  to  make 
too  copious  observations  on  the  military  details  of  the  campaign,  and  on  other 
points  investigated  in  the  notes.  Utterly  opposed  to  war,  except  as  a  last  resort 
in  self-defence,  he  does  not  wish  to  be  considered  as  indiscriminately  approving 
all  the  principles,  and  much  less  all  tho  incidents,  of  tho  Old  French  War.  An 
historical  inquirer,  however,  may  be  allowed  to  investigate  subjects  of  this  nature, 
although  they  arc  in  many  respects  averse  from  his  general  views  and  tastca 
and  out  of  tho  range  of  his  ordinary  pursuits. 

The  chief  reliance  for  true  history  in  writing  the  discourse  and  notes  on  tho 
war  has  been  tho  Docvmentary  IlUtory  of  New  York,  a  memorial  of  legislative 
wisdom  and  patronage ;  Sir  William  Johnson's  unpuhlishcd  manuscripts,  a  rich 
mine  for  patient  workmen;  Bancrofts  History  of  the  United  ^S^ates,  unrivalled 
in  the  power  of  philosophical  discussion,  in  the  extent  of  historical  detail,  and 
in  the  accuracy  of  great  conclusions;  and  Dr.  Dwight's  Travels,  full  of  good 
things.  Various  other  works  were  useful  j  and  references  to  them  are  made  iu 
the  notes. 

It  cannot  be  supposed  that  there  are  no  historical  errors  in  this  pamphlet ; 
but  it  is  hoped  and  believed  that  they  are  few,  and  their  correction  is  solicited. 
The  writer,  being  on  his  annual  visit  of  recreation  at  Lake  George,  contributed 
what  he  could  to  render  the  Centennial  Celebration  interesting  and  instnictive. 
A  free-will  offering  on  the  altar  of  patriotism,  his  discourse  is  laid  there,  with  the 
wreaths  and  commemorations  of  an  honest  yeomanry  and  of  their  sympathizing 
summer  guests. 

BuKLiNOTOS,  N.  J.,  April  17th,  1858. 


C.  V.  R. 


P^fcHbiy 


mstnnccs  not  tho 
I  the  public  at  tho 
Celebration. 
Alhani/  Morning 
litions  have  been 
I  with  tho  history 

ted  him  to  make 
ign,  and  on  other 
pt  as  «  la»t  resort 
inately  approving 
rench  War.  An 
cts  of  this  nature, 
views  and  tastca 

and  notes  on  the 
)rial  of  legislative 
anuscrijUs,  a  rich 
States,  unrivalled 
torical  detail,  and 
vc/s,  full  of  good 
them  arc  made  in 

in  this  pamphlet  j 
iction  is  solicited, 
jorge,  contributed 
;  and  instnictive. 
id  there,  with  the 
beir  sympathizing 

C.  V.  R. 


Pistflrial  ^istmxst 


CiTTZENS  OP  Warren  County  and  Visitors  at  the  Lake  : — 

The  echoes  of  a  hundred  years  resound  throughout  the 
mountain-passes.  The  roar  of  provincial  cannon  thunders 
amidst  the  Hash  of  battle;  and,  from  noon  to  the  setting  sun, 
armies  contend  for  victory  ou  the  shore  of  tho  peaceful  and 
trembling  lake. 

To-day  the  great  events  of  other  generations  are  marshalled 
by  memory  into  their  original  order  and  commanding  position; 
and  as  Americans,  victorious  then,  as  in  a  greater  conflict,  we 
are  assembled  to  commemorate  the  triumphs  of  the  olden  time. 
Eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-five  sends  back  to  seventeen  hundred 
and  fifty-five  the  congratulations  of  a  century,  over  the  inherit- 
ance deeded  and  signed  on  the  battle-field  of  Lake  George  on 
the  8th  of  September. 

Lake  George  and  vicinity  is  the  classic  ground  of  the  Old 
French  War.  Every  bill-top  threw  the  shadow  of  warlike 
scenes  into  the  lake,  and  its  southern  and  northern  shores 
were  spectators  of  the  decisive  events  which  at  length  ended 
in  the  subjugation  of  Canada  and  the  prosperity  of  the  old 
American  colonies.  A  very  brief  notice  of  the  discovery  and 
antecedent  history  of  the  lake  will  open  to  us  a  view  of  the 
Old  French  War  and  the  battles  of  a  former  century.  It  will 
be  my  object,  as  a  sort  of  ranger,  to  bring  some  account  to  you 
here,  at  the  old  head-quarters,  of  the  events  that  occurred  on 
this  field  of  historical  interest. 

The  sun  and  stars  of  thousands  of  years  have  imaged  the 
glory  of  God  in  the  crystal  waters  of  the   beautiful   lake. 

5 


t 


siaig»,ma€&i^3&f^:iielit^s^^^i.m^*-t 


- 
.  f    : 


Ages  before  the  Indinn  tracked  his  path  along  the  mountains 
or  glided  his  canoo  through  the  depths  of  the  water-valley, 
this  landscape  had  reality  in  all  the  gvace  ond  grandeur  of  a 
divine  creation.  Before  Iroquois,  or  Saxon,  or  Celt,  looked 
with  delight  upon  the  foliage  green  of  the  hills  or  the  emerald 
green  of  the  lake,  nature  worshipped  hero  in  festival  solitude 
and  silence  on  the  altar  dedicated  to  the  well-known  (jiod. 
The  history  of  the  lake,  like  the  mist  that  sometimes  covers 
its  waters,  obscures  iho  far  distance. 


#    »    ♦     "In  the  horizon  of  the  Past 
Tho  cloudy  gumraits  of  lost  cycles  rise, 
Like  cumuli,  far  onward  to  the  point 
Where  distance  vanishes  in  dreaminess." 


1 


The  Indians  were  the  original  and  undisputed  proprietors  of 
this  secluded  heritage, —  the  domain  of  the  Six  Nations,  or 
Iroquois,  including  both  this  and  the  adjoining  lake  on  the 
outskirts  of  their  hunting-ground.*  The  first  European  or 
civilized  man  who  is  known  to  have  penetrated  this  glorious 
Indian  reserve  was  the  celebrated  Champlain.  In  1609,  at 
the  head  of  an  expedition  of  savages  from  Canada  against  the 
Iroquois,  he  ascended  the  lake  which  now  bears  his  name; 
and  in  his  account  of  the  expedition  he  refers  to  the  "water- 
fall" between  the  two  lakes,  which  he  himself  "  saw,"  describes 
this  lake  as  being  three  or  four  leagues  in  length,  and  mentions 
the  distance  from  its  head  to  be  about  four  leagues  to  the 
river  which  flows  towards  the  coast  of  the  Almouchiquois,  or 
New  England  Indians.  Having  given  his  own  name  to  the 
larger  lake,  which  was  the  scene  of  his  achievements,  Cham- 
plain  was  content  to  bequeath  to  the  lesser  lake  the  renown 
of  his  own  record  and  an  untitled  nobility  of  nature.f 

The  next  European  who  is  known  to  have  traversed  these 
regions  was  Father  Jogues,  a  French  Roman  Catholic  mis- 
sionary, who,  in  1646,  was  commissioned  to  ratify  the  treaty 
of  peace  made  between  the  French  and  the  Iroquois.  On  his 
way  from  Canada  to  the  Mohawk,  he  arrived  at  the  outlet  of 
the  smaller  lake  on  the  eve  of  the  festival  of  Corpus  Christi, 


*  NoTS  I. — See  the  Appendix. 


f  Note  II. 


J. 


rfiniih. 


the  mountaiiia 
watcr-vnlloy, 
grandeur  of  a 
r  Celt,  looked 
)r  the  eineruld 
8tival  solitude 
ll-known  (jiod. 
ictimes  covers 


proprietors  of 
ix  Nations,  or 
g  lake  on  the 

European  or 
1  this  glorious 
In  1G09,  at 
ida  against  the 
ars  his  name; 
to  the  "water- 
saw,"  describes 
.  and  mentions 
leagues  to  the 
iiouchiquois,  or 
1  name  to  the 
ements,  Cham- 
ce  the  renown 
iture.f 

raversed  these 
I  Catholic  mis- 
tify  the  treaty 
quois.  On  his 
t  the  outlet  of 
Corpus  Christi, 

lOTE   II. 


or  sacrament  of  the  fiody  of  ChriM,  and,  in  commemoration  of 
the  event,  he  gave  it  the  name  of  St.  Sacrament.* 

From  this  time  not  much  is  known  of  the  annals  of  the 
lake,  till  General  William  Johnson  encamped  upon  its  shores, 
with  his  army  of  provincial  soldiers,  in  1755.  During  the 
interval,  however,  it  is  quite  certain  that  the  lak«J  was  more 
or  less  used  as  a  channel  of  interconnnunication  with  Canada, 
both  in  furtherance  of  friendly  commerce  and  of  hostile  mili- 
tary expeditions.f  When  General  Johnson  reached  the  lake, 
he  affirms  that  "»o  house  ivas  ever  h-forc  built  here,  nor  a  nxl 
of  land  cleared."  The  ancient  trees  of  the  forest  welcomed  the 
old  soldier  in  their  unbroken  and  waving  battalions,  and  gave 
him  good  ground  to  encamp  upon,  good  lake-wuter  to  quench 
his  thirst,  and  a  good  clear  sky  for  his  canopy. 

The  Old  French  War  originated  in  the  long  hereditary 
national  animosities  between  France  and  England.  The 
British  queen  and  the  French  monarch  exchanged  no  viisils 
of  royal  courtesy  in  those  days;  and,  instead  of  banquets  and 
feasting  at  Windsor  and  Versailles,  martial  music  and  the 
display  of  arms  were  everywhere  the  mutual  salutations.  The 
treaty  of  Utrecht,  made  in  1713,  guaranteed  to  England  all  Nova 
Scotia,  with  its  ancient  limits,  and  to  the  Five  Nations,  as  sub- 
ject to  Great  Britain,  the  peaceable  enjoyment  of  all  their 
rights  and  privileges.  The  treaty  of  Aix-la-Chapelle,  in  1748, 
was  so  indefinite  in  its  terms,  that,  although  a  peace  was  agreed 
to,  on  the  basis  of  the  treaty  of  Utrecht,  no  settlement  was 
made  of  the  difficulties  which  had  given  rise  to  the  war  in 
America.  There  was  a  vague  agreement  that  the  boundaries 
in  America  should  remain  as  they  were  before  the  war ;  but  for 
a  quarter  of  a  century  before  the  war  the  lines  had  been  the 
subject  of  perpetual  contention.  Thus  provision  may  almost  be 
said  to  have  been  made  by  treaty  for  the  speedy  opening  of  a 
new  campaign,  and  the  fires  of  war  were  to  be  rekindlea  on 
the  very  altar  of  peace.  What  rendered  the  indefinite  terms 
of  the  treaty  peculiarly  exceptionable  and  unfortunate,  was  the 
fact  that  the  French  had  erected,  in  1721,  a  fort  at  Crown 
Point,  within  territory  always  claimed  by  Great  Britain  and 

*NoTB  III.  t  Note  IV. 


1 


rsWJfoisfeiiifleaa^Bite.TsaSJ^ 


.u-_„jS)»(5-«»s.iv*!S4s«i£^S'S*iW3tWi5<S3feKnsi*-A'".  »>■«'* 


8 


ill 


the  Iroquois.  So  intent,  indeed,  had  France  been  on  territorial 
aggrandizement,  that  before  the  signing  of  the  treaty  of  Aix- 
la-Chapelle,  in  1748,  she  had  erected  nearly  twenty  forts, 
besides  block-houses  and  stockade  trading-places,  on  soil  claimed 
by  Great  Britain.*  The  peace  on  her  part  was  merely  a  truce 
to  prepare  more  extensive  plans  of  commercial  and  military 
operations;  and,  like  the  brief  interval  granted  lately  for  the 
burial  of  the  dear),  at  Sebastopol,  which  the  Russians  employed 
to  strengthen  their  fortress,  so  France,  at  Aix-la-Chapelle, 
truced  England  into  inactivity,  whilst  she  herself  wove  the 
banner  of  war  and  burnished  her  armour  for  a  long  campaign. 
Without  regard  to  treaty  stipulations,  France  commenced  prose- 
cuting her  schemes  of  aggrandizement,  not  only  in  the  Ameri- 
can colonies,  but  in  Nova  Scotia,  in  the  East  and  West  Indies, 
and  in  the  Mediterranean. 

The  object  of   France  in  North  America  was  to  obtain 
possession  of  the  great  valley  of  the  West,  and  to  connect 
Canada  and  Louisiana  by  a  chain  of  forts  and  trading-places, 
and  thus  hem  in  the  colonies,  and,  perhaps,  eventually  gain 
possession  of  them  and  secure  a  communication  for  Canada 
with  the  ocean  through  New  York.     When  the  Ohio  Land 
Company  was  chartered,  in  1749,  with  a  view  to  the  settle- 
ment of  the  territory  between  the  Monongahela  and  the  Kana- 
wha, the  Governor-General  of  Canada  sent  an  armed  band  of 
three  hundred  men  down  the  Ohio  Valley,  to  retain  possession 
of  the  country  in  the  name  of  France,  and  to  expel  the  English 
traders  from  its  borders.     In  every  practicable  manner,  the 
French  aimed  at  maintaining  the  vantage-ground  which  English 
inactivity  had  enabled  them  to  seize.    They  attempted  to  prose- 
lyte the  Six  Nations,  to  foment  disturbances  among  the  Indians 
in  general,  to  undersell  the  British  traders,  to  gain  possession 
of  Lake  Ontario  by  building  a  large  vessel  of  war,  and  still 
furtner  to  increase  their  power  they  hjid  turned  their  trading- 
house  at  Niagara  into  a  fort. 

The  first  blood  shed  by  the  French  within  the  limits  of  the 
old  thirteen  colonies,  in  the  Old  French  War,  was  at  the  Indian 
village  of  Piqua,  in  Western  Ohio,  in  the  year  1752.    A  contest 

*  Note  V. 


,«:.—*&  fciAtw*.*.*  Sfc.i^rtvfliAi.OT.:' 


-•"•^ass 


1 


n  on  territorial 
treaty  of  Aix- 
twenty  forts, 
on  soil  claimed 
merely  a  truce 
1  and  military 
I  lately  for  the 
sians  employed 
Lix-la-Chapelle, 
rself  wove  the 
long  campaign, 
nmenced  prose- 
f  in  the  Ameri- 
d  West  Indies, 

was  to  obtain 
md  to  connect 

trading-places, 
jventually  gain 
ion  for  Canada 
the  Ohio  Land 
r  to  the  settle- 
1  and  the  Kana- 

armed  band  of 
etain  possession 
:pel  the  English 
lie  manner,  the 
1  which  English 
empted  to  prose- 
ong  the  Indians 

gain  possession 
f  war,  and  still 
d  their  trading- 
he  limits  of  the 
as  at  the  Indian 
752.    A  contest 


which  was  to  determine  the  future  destiny  of  the  mighty  West, 
thus  commenced  on  its  own  territory ;  and  its  influence  was  to 
be  felt  throughout  Europe,  in  Asia,  and  in  the  West  Indies,  as 
well  as  in  North  America.  In  1753,  the  French  detached  a 
body  of  twelve  hundred  men  to  occupy  the  Ohio  Valley,  and 
the  Governor  of  Virginia  despatched  George  Washington  to 
protest  against  the  invasion.  This  brave  young  man,  then 
only  twenty-one  years  of  age,  traversed  the  forests  of  Mary- 
land and  Western  Pennsylvania  as  far  as  Fort  Le  Boeuf,  which 
wa»  within  a  few  miles  of  Lake  Erie.  The  French  commander 
of  the  forces,  Le  Gardeur  de  St.  Pierre,  who  was  afterwards 
slain  at  the  battle  of  Lake  George,  maintained  the  right  of  his 
sovereign  to  the  soil.  In  1764,  Washington,  now  a  lieutenant- 
colonel,  was  sent  with  a  regiment  to  protect  British  rights  in 
the  West,  and  to  finish  the  fort  at  the  forks  of  the  Mononga- 
hela  and  Alleghany  Rivers;  but,  after  an  engagement  with 
Jumonville,  he  was  compelled  to  retreat  to  Fort  Necessity,  to 
capitulate,  and  to  withdraw  the  English  garrison  to  the  east  of 
the  Alleghanies.  France,  at  this  time,  was  dominant  through- 
out the  valleys  of  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi,  and  England  had 
not  in  the  great  West  a  flag  to  cast  even  a  shadow  on  the  soil. 
In  June,  1754,  the  first  American  Congress  met  in  the  city 
of  Albany.  Its  principal  object  was  to  devise  measures  of 
defence,  and  to  conciliate  the  Iroquois  Indians,  whose  sachems 
assembled  at  Albany  for  conference.  This  first  Congress  is 
famous  for  the  Plan  of  Union  it  proposed  for  all  the  Colonies 
on  the  basis  of  a  Federal  Government.  Benjamin  Franklin 
was  the  author  of  the  measure,  which,  however,  did  not  meet 
with  suflBcient  favour  to  secure  a  trial  at  that  time.  The  same 
illustrious  man  foresaw  the  future  greatness  of  the  country 
"back  of  the  Appalachian  Mountains,"  and  advised  the  imme- 
diate organization  of  two  colonies  in  the  West, — the  one  on 
Lake  Erie,  the  other  in  the  valley  of  the  Ohio,  with  its  capital 
on  the  banks  of  the  Scioto.  Franklin,  as  a  statesman,  dis- 
played on  this  occasion  a  penetration  of  intellect  as  vivid  as  the 
lightning  which,  as  a  philosopher,  was  flashed  down  to  him 
from  heaven.* 

*  Note  VI. 


1= 


10 


In  view  of  the  alarming  state  of  things  in  the  Colonies, 
England  despatched  General  Braddock,  as  commander-in-chief, 
with  two  regiments  of  regular  troops.  War  had  not  yet  been 
openly  declared  between  England  and  France;  but  both  na- 
tions were  actively  pursuing  their  belligerent  plans  in  anticipa- 
tion of  a  speedy  crisis.*  Braddock  arrived  in  Virginia  in  the 
spring  of  1755,  and  summoned  a  council  of  the  governors  of 
the  Colonies  at  Alexandria.  Three  expeditions  were  deter- 
mined on.  The  first,  under  Braddock  himself,  was  to  march  to 
the  Ohio,  obtain  possession  of  Fort  Duquesne,  and  then  pro- 
ceed according  to  circumstances.  The  second,  under  Governor 
Shirley,  was  to  reduce  Fort  Niagara,  and  to  maintain  possession 
of  Oswego.  The  third,  under  General  William  Johnson,  was 
to  take  possession  of  Fort  St.  Frederick,  at  Crown  Point,  and 
drive  the  French  from  the  colony  of  New  York.  The  latter 
expedition  was,  perhaps,  the  most  important  of  the  three. 
The  province  of  New  York  was  more  accessible  than  any  other 
to  the  enemy;  Fort  St.  Frederick,  Fort  Niagara,  and  Fort 
Presentation,  were  encroachments  upon  its  immemorial  juris- 
diction; the  province  was  central  to  the  other  provinces;  its 
chief  city  had  the  finest  harbour  on  the  Atlantic  coast;  and 
the  council-fires  of  the  Six  Nations  burned  at  Onondaga,  the 
head-quarters  of  these  influential  and  brave  tribes  of  Indians.f 

The  rendezvous  of  both  Shirley's  and  Johnson's  expedition 
was  Albany.  Most  of  the  troops  designed  for  Johnson's  com- 
mand arrived  there  before  the  end  of  June,  and  were  obliged 
to  remain  for  some  time  in  camp,  waiting  for  the  artillery, 
boats,  provisions,  and  other  necessaries.  In  the  meanwhile, 
the  provincials  became  discontented  with  the  inactivity  of 
a  long  encampment;  and  Major-General  Lyman  was  obliged 
to  make  short  marches  in  the  line  of  destination  in  order  to 
prevent  them  from  disbanding.  When  he  had  advanced  to 
the  "great  carrying-place,"  he  waited  for  the  arrival  of  General 
Johnson,  and  commenced  building  a  fort  on  the  east  side  of 
the  Hudson,  which  was  afterwards  called  Fort  Edward,  «in 

*  War  was  not  declared  until  the  followinff  year:  by  England  on  the  18th  of  May,  1756, 
and  by  France  on  the  9th  of  June, 
t  NOTB  VII. 


*-m. 


.£^ 


1 


11 


the  Colonies, 
inder-in-chief, 
not  yet  been 
but  both  na- 
is  in  anticipa- 
rginia  in  the 
governors  of 
were  deter- 
s  to  march  to 
nd  then  pro- 
der  Governor 
lin  possession 
Fohnson,  was 
n  Point,  and 
,  The  latter 
3f  the  three, 
lan  any  other 
ra,  and  Fort 
emorial  juris- 
provinces;  its 
ic  coast;  and 
)nondaga,  the 
!  of  Indians.f 
»'s  expedition 
ahnson's  corn- 
were  obliged 
the  artillery, 
e  meanwhile, 
inactivity  of 
I  was  obliged 
1  in  order  to 
advanced  to 
^al  of  General 
e  east  side  of 
Edward,  «iu 

18th  of  May,  1756, 


honour  of  thr  f  nd  prince  of  the  blood  of  that  name."  On 
the  8th  cf  AugL  .  General  Johnson  set  out  from  Albany,  with 
the  artillery  and  otiier  stores,  and  reached  the  "great  carrying- 
place"  on  the  14th,  having  been  detained  two  days  by  some 
dissatisfaction  on  the  part  of  the  Connecticut  troops.  On  the 
22d,  a  council  of  war  was  held  to  determine  what  route 
should  be  taken  to  Crown  Point;  and  it  was  the  unanimous 
opinion  of  the  council  that  the  road  to  "Lake  St.  Sacrament 
appears  to  them  the  most  eligible,  and  that  it  be  immediately 
set  about."  It  was  further  resolved  to  send  forward  two  thou- 
sand men,  to  cut  the  road  and  to  build  "a  place  of  arms  and 
magazines"  at  the  head  of  the  lake.  In  addition  to  the  news 
of  Braddock's  defeat,  which  had  reached  the  army  about  a 
month  before,  the  spirits  of  the  troops  were  now  depressed  by 
a  report  that  the  French  were  advancing  towards  Crown  Point 
in  overwhelming  numbers;  and  the  Indians  declared  that  the 
English  were  no  match  for  them,  but  must  be  surely  defeated. 
Johnson  writes  that  he  ought  to  have  eight  thousand  men,  and 
that  the  reinforcements  ought  to  advance  as  rapidly  as  possible. 
On  the  26th  of  August,  Johnson  sets  out  for  Lake  St.  Sacra- 
ment, a  distance  of  about  seventeen  miles;  and,  after  three 
day's  marching,  reaches  there,  or  rather  here,  on  the  evening 
of  the  28th.  What  a  sight  was  such  a  lake  to  an  army  of 
men  that  had  never  before  looked  upon  its  mountain-guarded 
waters!  Often  did  Johnson,  and  Lj'man,  and  Williams,  and 
Hendrick,  with  their  companions-in-arms,  gaze  with  wonder  at 
a  scene  whose  enchantments  are  fresh  with  the  morning  light 
and  renewed  with"  the  setting  sun. 

"  Alas !  boaido  that  beauteous  wave 
Shall  many  an  unrcturning  bravo 
Find  his  last  bivouac — the  grave ! 
In  his  lost  home  his  name  grow  dim, 
And  low  woods  sigh  his  requiem!" 

The  name  of  the  lake  was  changed  by  Johnson  from  St. 
Sacrament  to  Lake  George,  "not  only  in  honour  to  his  Ma- 
jesty, but  to  ascertain  his  undoubted  dommion  here" — a  name 
now  become  historical,  and  properly  enough  commemorative 


«  "    ■nMWBfte.'.fcM'*"' 


(■■ 


12 

of  provincial  times,  and  of  the  important  events  that  occurred 
under  the  reigning  king."' 

The  plan  of  operations  arranged  by  General  Johnson  was  to 
construct  a  fort,  proceed  up  the  lake  with  a  part  of  the  army, 
as  soon  as  the  boats  arrived,  and  take  possession  of  Ticon- 
deroga;  and,  waiting  there  until  the  rest  of  the  army  came  up, 
proceed  to  attack  Crown  Point.  On  the  evening  of  the  7th  of 
September,  however,  the  Indian  scouts  bring  intelligence  that 
they  had  discovered  a  large  road  cut  from  South  Bay,  and 
were  confident  that  a  considerable  number  of  the  enemy  were 
marching  to  the  "great  carrying-place."  Johnson,  surprised 
and  perplexed,  perhaps  doubts  the  report.  About  midnight 
intelligence  comes  that  the  enemy  were  discovered  four  miles 
this  side  of  the  "carrying-place."  Nothing,  however,  was 
done  for  the  safety  of  Fort  Edward  until  the  next  morning, 
when  a  council  was  called.  In  the  language  of  General  John- 
eon,  "  the  Indians  were  extremely  urgent  that  one  thousand 
men  should  be  detached,  and  a  number  of  their  people  would 
go  with  them,  in  order  to  catch  the  enemy  in  their  retreat  from 
the  other  camp,  either  as  victors,  or  defeated  in  their  design." 

The  enemy  proved  to  be  a  French  force  of  nearly  two  thou- 
sand men,  regulars,  Canadians,  and  Indians,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Baron  Dieskau.  This  French  general  had  arrived 
at  Quebec  in  the  spring,  with  nearly  two  thousand  regular 
troops.  His  original  plan  was  to  proceed  up  the  river  St. 
Lawrence  to  Lake  Ontario,  and  to  capture  the  fort  at  Oswego. 
But  Montreal  was  so  much  alarmed  at  the  neWs  of  an  English 
army  on  its  march  to  Fort  Frederick,  and  perhaps  into  Canada, 
that  the  Baron  was  importuned  to  proceed  to  the  defence  of 
Fort  Frederick,  which  he  finally  cpnsented  to  do,  with  great 
reluctance.  Having  waited  some  time  for  the  approach  of  the 
English  army,  he  determined  to  go  and  meet  them  himself 
His  scheme  was  bold  and  precise.  He  was  to  attack  Fort 
Edward  first,  which  Avas  defended  by  a  garrison  of  only  four 
hundred  men;  then  to  fall  upon  the  camp  at  Lake  George, 
where  victory  was  supposed  to  be  within  his  reach,  as  the 
camp  was  reported  to  be  destitute  of  either  artillery  or  in- 

.  »  Note  VIII. 


KSti„ 


;hat  occurred 

hnson  was  to 
of  the  army, 
)n  of  Ticon- 
my  came  up, 
)f  the  7th  of 
lligence  that 
th  Bay,  and 
enemy  were 
)n,  surprised 
3ut  midnight 
}d  four  miles 
owever,   was 
ext  morning, 
Jeneral  John- 
me  thousand 
people  would 
retreat  from 
leir  design." 
rly  two  thou- 
der  the  corn- 
had  arrived 
isand  regular 
the  river  St. 
ft  at  Oswego, 
of  an  English 
I  into  Canada, 
le  defence  of 
o,  with  great 
proach  of  the 
them  himself. 
I  attack  Fort 
I  of  only  four 
Lake  George, 
reach,  as  the 
I'tillery  or  in- 


^.-— sx'j.--:*,.. 


trenchments;  and  afterwards  desolate  Albany  and  Schenec- 
tady, and  cut  off  communication  with  Oswego.  It  seems, 
however,  that  when  Dieskau  was  within  two  miles  of  Fort 
Edward,  the  Indians  refused  to  attack  it,  on  account  of  their 
peculiar  dread  of  cannon ;  but,  on  their  declaring  a  willingness 
to  attack  the  camp,  Dieskau  changed  his  plans  and  turned 
towards  the  lake. 

It  is  Sabbath-day  in  the  provincial  camp.  The  bustle  of 
war  does  not  prevent  the  arrival  of  wagons,  work  at  the  fort, 
and  preparations  for  the  campaign.  But  God  is  not  forgotten 
by  all.  A  venerable  chaplain,*  whose  locks  are  white  with 
age,  is  seen  taking  his  station  in  the  shade  of  the  forest-trees. 
He  is  the  chaplain  of  Williams'  regiment,  the  third  regiment 
of  Massachusetts,  and  Williams  is  there.  With  him  are 
Buggies,  and  Titcomb,  and  Whiting,  and  other  officers.  The 
soldiers  of  New  England  attend  with  reverential  appearance ; 
and  Hendrick  and  a  band  of  Iroquois  loiter  in  the  distance, 
with  their  eyes  turned  to  the  assembly.  After  singing, — per- 
haps the  46th  psalm,  to  the  tune  of  "Old  Hundred," — prayer  is 
offered  up  to  the  God  of  their  fathers.  The  Puritan  preacher 
then  takes  for  his  text  the  words  of  Isaiah : — "  which  remain 
among  the  graves  and  lodge  in  the  mountains."  Were  these 
words,  alas!  prophetic?     Let  us  turn  to  the  narrative. 

The  detachment  of  one  thousand  provincial  troops,  de- 
spatched to  arrest  Dieskau's  progress  and  to  aid  Fort  Edward, 
was  commanded  by  Colonel  Epuraim  Williams,  of  Massachu- 
setts. It  set  out  between  eight  and  nine  o'clock  on  Monday 
morning,  and  consisted  ot'  three  divisions.  Colonel  Williams 
starts  in  advance  with  the  first  division  of  five  hundred  men, 
halts  at  Bocky  Brook,  about  half  a  mile  from  the  place  where 
the  attack  occurred,  and  waits  for  the  other  divisions  under 
Hendrick  and  Lieutenant-Colonel  Whiting.  The  Indians  soon 
follow,  in  command  of  the  great  Mohawk  chief.  Being  ad- 
vanced in  years  and  corpulent  in  person,  he  rides  on  horse- 
back. Erect  in  the  dignity  of  a  noble  Indian  presence,  the  old 
sachem  has  cast  his  last  look  on  the  lake,  and  taken  the  road  into 
the  forest  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy.     During  this  halt  of  Colonel 

'      *  The  Rev.  Stephen  Williams,  of  Longmcadow,  Massachusetts. 


u 


Williams,  the  enemy  place  themselves  in  ambuscade.    Our 
party  then  march  forward,  the  Indians  leading  the  way,  and 
enter  the  defile.     One  of  the  enemy's  muskets  going  ofl'  pre- 
maturely, they  are  discovered,  and  immediately  they   com- 
mence the  attack  on  our  Indians.     The  warwhoop  resounds 
through  the  woods,  and  volleys  of  musketry  from  the  Abenakis 
Indians  on  the  left  and  from  the  regulars  in  front  strew  the 
ground  with  the  dying.     The  brave  old  Hmdrick  falls, — a  con- 
spicuous mark  tO  men  of  unerring  aim.     The  Mohawks,  un- 
certain and  alarmed,  move  back  to  where  Colonel  Williams 
is,  a  short  distance  behind;   and   at  the  same  moment  our 
troops  march  up  to  their  support.     The  engagement  becomes 
general.     At  this  time,  in  the  early  part  of  the  engagement, 
Colonel  Williams  mounts  a  rock  for  the  purpose  of  recon- 
noitoring ;  and,  in  the  act  of  ordering  his  men  to  go  higher  up 
the  hill  on  the  right,  he  is  immediately  shot  down.     It  soon 
became  evident  to  our  officers  that  the  French  had  posted 
themselves  on  both  sides  of  the  road  for  the  purpose  of  sur- 
rounding  and   cutting   off  the  detachment.     A  retreat  was, 
therefore,  ordered,   which   was   conducted  with   consummate 
^kill  by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Whiting,  of  New  Haven,  who  had 
previously  distinguished  himself  at  the  taking  of  Louisburg, 
Nova  Scotia.     The  firing  had  been  heard  at  the  camp,  about 
two  hours  after  the  departure  of  the  detachment.     It  drew 
nearer  and  nearer.     Our  men  were  retreating;  and  General 
Johnson  orders  Lieutenant-Colonel  Cole,  at  th^  head  of  three 
hundred  men,  to  cover  the  retreat,  which  was  accomplished 
with  some  success.     Although  defeated  by  superior  numbers, 
our  men  had  fought  bravely.     Rallying  for  a  short  time  be- 
iiind  the  Bloody  Pond,  they  brought  many  of  the  enemy  to 
the  earth.     It  was  afterwards  found  that  nearly  one  half  of 
the  killed  on  both  sides  had  fallen  in  the  desperate  preliminary 
encounter  of  the  morning. 

The  Americans  were  encamped  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile 
from  the  head  of  the  lake,  being  protected  on  either  side  by 
a  low  thick-wooded  swamp.  After  the  march  of  the  detach- 
ment. General  Johnson  drew  up  some  heavy  cannon  from  the 
margin  of  the  lake,  a  distance  of  about  five  hundred  yards 


buscade.     Our 
the  way,  and 
going  ofl'  pre- 
tly   tliey   com- 
hoop  resounds 
1  the  Abenakis 
Tont  strew  the 
k  falls, — a  con- 
Mohawks,  un- 
tonel  Williams 
3  moment  our 
jment  becomes 
e  engagement, 
pose  of  recon- 
0  go  higher  up 
lown.     It  soon 
ch  had  posted 
purpose  of  sur- 
\.  retreat  was, 
h   consummate 
aven,  who  had 
;  of  Louisburg, 
ae  camp,  about 
lent.     It  drew 
;  and  General 
head  of  three 
s  accomplished 
>erior  numbers, 
short  time  be- 
the  enemy  to 
I'ly  one  half  of 
ate  preliminary 

arter  of  a  mile 
either  side  by 
of  the  detach- 

nnon  from  the 
hundred  yards 


15 

from  his  front.    Trees  were  also  felled  to  form  a  breastwork, 
the  proper  intrenchments  having  been  unaccountably  neglected. 
On  some  of  the  eminences  to  the  left,  where  Fort  George  now 
stands,  cannon  were   drawn    up  and   advantageously  posted. 
After  these  hurried  preparations  of  a  few  hours,  our  retreatmg 
soldiers  come  in  sight  in  large  bodies,  witR  the  enemy  in  full 
pursuit.     Among  those  who  climb  the  intrenchments,  Hendrick 
and  Williams  are  not  seen.     All  is  confusion.     But,  behold, 
Dieskau  halts!     For  nearly  fifteen  minutes,  when  witlnn  one 
hundred   and  fifty  yards  of    the   encampment,   the   French 
general,  instead  of  making  a  bold  advance  upon  the  Imes, 
which  the  disorder  of  the  retreating  corps  might  have  made 
successful,  is  compelled  to  pause,  as  though  Providence  had 
issued  to  him  a  superior  command.     The  cause  of  this  delay  is 
not  fully  ascertained.     It  may  have  been  owing  either  to  the 
surprise  at  finding  artillery  arrayed  against  him,  and  the  conse- 
quent difficulty  of  bringing  the  Indians  up  to  the  conflict;  or  it 
may  have  been  with  the  view  of  giving  time  for  the  Canadians 
and  Indians  to  get  on  either  flank  and  make  a  simultaneous 
attack  with  the  regulars  posted  on  the  centre.     Whatever  was 
the  cause  of  the  delay,  it  probably  lost  Dieskau  the  victory. 
The  provincials  had  time  to  rally  and  to  reduce  their  plan  of 
defence  to  better  order;  and,  when  the  French  opened  their 
fire,  the  distance  was  too  great  to  produce  much  eflect.     The 
artillery  of  the  provincials  gave  them  an  advantage  in  the 
battle.     It  wa^  served  by  Captain  William  Eyres,  an  English 
officer  despatched  by  General  Braddock  to   accompany  the 
expedition.    The  battle  at  the  camp  began  between  eleven  and 
twelve  o'clock;   and   the  wonder  is  that  the   French,  with 
inferior  numbers  and  without  artillery,  could  sustain  the  con- 
flict for  more  than  four  hours.     The  attack  on  the  centre 
by  the  regulars  was  obstinately  persevered  in  for  more  than  an 
hour.     This  proving  unavailing,  Dieskau  then  attacked  the 
right,   where,  on   account  of  there   being  no  cannon,  there 
seemed  a  better  prospect  of  success.    A  heavy   loss  of  the 
provincials  occurred  in  this  quarter,  in  the  regiments  of  Tit- 
comb,  Ruggles,  and  Pomroy;  but  their  bravery  corresponded 
with  the  emergency,  and  the  enemy  could  gain  no  advantage 


M 

i'f 


v. 


^Mii^. 


16 


-*: 


in  that  direction.     In  their  attempt  to  pass  over  the  intrench- 
ments,  the  old-fashioned  musket,  in  the  hands  of  bnive  New 
England  farmers,  did  terrible  work.     The  battle  on  the  right 
raged  for  nearly  two  hours,  when  Dieskau  again  attacked  the 
front,  and  then  the  right  and  the  left,  and  at  last  attempted  to 
come  in  on  the  fear  of  the  army,  when   General  Lyman, 
perceiving  the   danger,  ordered   some   shells   to  bo  thrown, 
which,  together  with  the  fire  of  some  thirty-two  pounders, 
made  the  enemy  retire  in  great  disorder.     The  Indians,  who, 
at  an  early  period  in  the  battle,  had  taken  possession  of  the 
rising  ground  near  where  Fort  William  Henry  now  stands,  were 
soon  terrified  by  shots  from  a  cannon  which  was  in  position 
on  one  of  the  eminences  near  Fort  George.     After  a  long  con- 
flict, sustained  chiefly  by  the  regulars,  the  French  begin  to 
fly.     Victors  in  the  morning,  the  survivors  hurry  back  at  the 
setting  sun,  vanquished,  wearied,  and  dreading  their  doom. 
Dieskau,  severely  wounded,  is  taken  prisoner. 
t  As  the  English  neglected  to  pursue,  the  French   halted 
about  three  miles  from  the  camp,  near  Bloody  Pond  and  Rocky 
Brook,  where  the  engagement  of  the  morning  had  been  renewed. 
The  halt  at  this  particular  spot  seems  to  have  been  partly 
owing  to  the  desire  of  the  Indians  to  obtain  plunder  and  to 
secure  the  scalps  of  those  who  had  fallen  in  the  early  engage- 
ment; but  it  is  a  busy  day,  and  they  must  think  of  their  own 
scalps.     At  seven  o'clock  in  the  evening,  a  reinforcement  from 
Fort  Edward  of  two  hundred  men  falls  unexpectedly  upon 
them,  under  the  command  of  Captain  William  McGinncM,  of 
Schenectady.    After  a  contest  of  two  hours,  our  party  gained 
possession  of  the  baggage  and  ammunition  of  the  French, 
which  was  conveyed  to  the  camp  the   next  morning;   and 
the  French  retreated  still  fiirther  towards  Lake  Champlain, 
learning  the  danger  of  encamping  for  the  night  too   near 
their  foe. 

The  victory  was  decisive.  If  the  enemy  had  been  pursued 
without  delay,  the  whole  body  might  have  been  cut  off"  and 
made  prisoners.  General  Johnson's  first  error  was  in  neglecting 
an  immediate  and  vigorous  pursuit.  General  Lyman  urged  it 
with  unusual  vehemence,  and  the  spirit  of  officers  and  men, 


wj'^^Ba^ 


the  intronch- 
af  bnive  Now 
on  the  right 
attacked  the 
t  attempted  to 
leral  Lyman, 
)  be  thrown, 
wo  pounders, 
Indians,  who, 
session  of  the 
V  stands,  were 
IS  in  position 
3r  a  long  con- 
nch  begin  to 
y  back  at  the 
their  doom. 

rench  halted 
id  and  Rocky 
)een  renewed. 

been  partly 
under  and  to 
early  engage- 
of  their  own 
"cement  from 
ectedly  upon 
McGinneti,  of 
party  gained 

the  French, 
lorning ;  and 
3  Champlain, 
;ht  too   near 

been  pursued 
I  cut  off  and 
in  neglecting 
man  urged  it 
3rs  and  men, 


r 


17 


aroused  by  war  and  flushed  by  triumph,  was  equal  to  the 
endurance.  When  the  tide  of  battle  is  once  turned,  it  sweeps 
against  the  vanquished  with  terrific  impetuosity.  If  that  tide 
in  our  aflairs  had  been  taken  at  its  flood,  it  might  have  Ipd 
our  army  to  the  double  fortune  of  a  victory  on  the  battle-field 
and  the  capture  of  the  enemy  in  their  flight.  Instead  of  pur- 
suing, our  army  retired  to  their  encampment  on  the  shores  of 
the  tideless  lake,  content,  like  it,  with  repose  after  the  surges 
of  the  day.  General  Johnson  excused  his  conduct  by  the  plea 
that  ho  had  reason  to  expect  a  renewal  of  the  attack,  and  that 
it  was  dangerous  to  weaken  the  main  body  by  detachments  to 
scour  the  country.  But  the  enemy  was  in  no  condition  to  rally 
after  the  loss  of  their  General  and  of  almost  all  the  regular 
soldiers;  and  the  true  way  to  strengthen  the  main  position  of 
the  victors  was  to  take  advantage  of  the  enemy's  defeat  by 
throwing  out  detachments  to  cut  them  off  before  reaching  their 
boats  on  Lake  Champlain.  The  enemy  were  far  more  fatigued 
than  the  Americans,  in  consequence  of  their  forced  marches 
towards  the  camp;  and  there  can  be  little  doubt  that,  had  the 
opinion  of  General  Lyman  and  other  ofiicers  prevailed, 
Dieskau's  band  would  never  have  seen  Ticonderoga  or  Fort 
St.  Frederick. 

General  Johnson's  second  capital  error  was  in  not  carrying 
forward  with  alacrity  the  immediate  object  of  his  expedition — 
which  was  the  reduction  of  Crown  Point.  The  idea  seems 
early  to  have  gained  entrance  into  the  General's  mind  that  the 
victory  at  Lake  George  was  glory  enough  for  one  campaign. 
Only  ten  days  after  the  battle,  on  the  18th,  he  writes  that  it  is 
doubtful  whether  the  expedition  can  advance  to  Ticonderoga 
this  year.  At  a  council  of  war,  however,  held  four  days  lattr, 
the  officers  unanimously  decided  that  it  was  best  to  proceed  as 
soon  as  the  expected  reinforcements  had  arrived.  Governor 
Shirley  remonstrated  with  Johnson  against  his  reluctance  to 
push  forward  his  army,  and,  in  a  letter  to  him  dated  the  25th 
of  September,  says: — "If  nothing  further  could  be  done  in 
this  campaign  than  gaining  Ticonderoga,  yet  that  would  be 
carrying  a  great  point  for  the  protection  of  the  country  behind, 

2 


18 


I  lit' 


I  nil 


f: ; 


this  year,  and  facilitation  of  the  reduction  of  Fort  St.  Frede- 
rick the  next  spring."* 

Whilst  waiting  for  reinforcements,  it  was  decided  to  build  a 

fort the  oflicers  being  in  favour  of  u  tjuiall  stockade  fort, 

capable  of  holding  one  hundred  men,  whilst  Johnson  desired 
the  erection  of  a  large  one,  capable  of  defence  agcinst  an  army 
with  artillery.  Finally,  Johnson's  plan  was  adopted.  The 
months  of  September  and  October  passed  away  in  sending  out 
scouts  and  in  fort-building,  until  the  men  became  dispirited, 
wearied,  and  desirous  of  returning  home.  Towards  tlie  end 
of  October,  the  council  of  officers  decided  that,  on  account  of 
the  lateness  of  the  season,  the  disaffection  of  the  soldiers,  and 
the  want  of  supplies,  it  was  inexpedient  to  proceed  with  the 
expedition.  At  this  time  there  were  four  thousand  five  hun- 
dred men  in  the  camp.  The  great  objects  of  the  army  were 
thus  unaccomplished,  and,  instead  of  occupying  Ticonderoga, 
which  of  itself  would  have  been  an  important  position  in 
advance,  the  delay  enabled  the  enemy  to  gain  possession  of 
it  and  fortify  it,  greatly  to  our  subsequent  loss  and  disad- 
vantage. 

Notwithstanding  General  Johnson's  apparent  errors  in  not 
taking  full  advantage  of  his  victory,  it  is  certain  that  the 
battle  of  Lake  George  has  points  of  honourable  distinction, 
worthy  of  a  centennial  commemoration. 

Considering  its  time  and  circumstances,  the  battle  of  Lake 
George  had  a  number  of  distinguished  men  to  give  character 
to  the  conflict.  On  the  side  of  the  enemy,  who  took  the 
aggressive  on  the  occasion,  was  Baron  de  Dieskau,  an  officer 
of  some"^  distinction  in  the  armies  of  France.  He  had  been 
selected  as  a  commander  able  to  take  charge  of  the  important 
work  of  superintending  the  military  operations  of  the  empire 
in  the  Western  World.  "  Boldness  wins"  was  Dieskau's  maxim. 
This  he  exemplified,  at  least  in  part,  in  marching  with  about 
two  thousand  men  to  find  the  enemy,  and  into  the  very  centre 
of  our  military  operations.  Fortunately  for  us,  "  boldness"  did 
not "  win"  on  that  occasion.    Dieskau,  at  the  head  of  his  forces, 

*NOTE   IX. 


ifattgri  jiOirtrtH*™*.  if  nrj  ■« 


ort  St.  Frede- 

dod  to  build  a 
Btockado  lort, 
ilinson  desired 
jcinst  an  army 
idopted.  The 
n  sending  out 
me  dispirited, 
ivarda  the  end 
on  account  of 
e  soldiers,  and 
)ceed  with  the 
sand  five  hun- 
tlie  army  were 
;  Tieonderoga, 
nt  position  in 
I  possession  of 
jss  and  disad- 

t  errors  in  not 
rtain  that  the 
ble  distinction, 


battle  of  Lake 
give  character 
who  took  the 

5KAU,  an  officer 
He  had  been 
the  important 

i  of  the  empire 

eskau's  maxim. 

ling  with  about 

the  very  centre 
"boldness"  did 

ad  of  his  forces, 


'"--M^n-mnaf'^^^^f^i 


19 

employs  in  vain  strategy  and  military  skill.     The  language  of 
France  and  its  crown-lilies  of  white  are  unheeded    and  dis- 
honoured   in   the    forests   of   America.      The   bravo   general 
receives  a  deadly  wound;  and  he  who  had  rallied  battalions  on 
the  fields  of  Europe,  and  had  sailed  up  the  St.  Lawrence  and 
Lake  Champlain  with  the  ambition  to  win  a  fame  in  the  Now 
World,  sits  upon  a  stump,  in  the  midst  of  his  slain,  with  hopes 
blasted,  projects  thwarted,  army  defeated,  wounded  in  body 
and  in  spirit,  and  with  the  doom  of  death  darkly  before  his 
eye.     Dieskau,  after  his  capture,  informed  General  Johnson 
that,  only  a  few  hours  before,  he  had  written  to  the  Governor- 
General  of  Canada  that  he  was  driving  the  English  before  him 
like  sheep,  and  that  he  expected  that  night  to  lodge  in  General 
Johnson's  tent.     The  expectation  was  verified;    as  prisoner, 
and   not  victor,  Dieskau   entered   the  American   camp,  and, 
instead  of  the   congratulations  of  victory,   he   received  the 
honest  sympathies  of  American  soldiers  towards  a  defeated  and 
wounded   general,   carried   within   their   intrenchments  on  a 
blanket.     After   the  lapse  of    a  century,   those    sympathies 
remain   fresh  and  unimpaired.     Honour  to  the  memory  of 
the  gallant  and  unfortunate  Dieskau!* 

Another  of  the  distinguished  men  in  the  French  army  was 
Le  Gardeur  de  St.  Pierre.  He  was  a  brave  officer,  and  re- 
markable  for  the  2.eal  and  energy  with  which  he  advanced  the 
interests  of  his  king,  especially  among  the  Indians,  with  whom 
he  had  very  great  influence.  He  had  confronted  Washington 
three  years  before  at  Fort  Le  Boeuf,  which  was  constructed  in 
Western  Pennsylvania  for  the  maintenance  of  the  claims  of 
France.  It  was  chiefly  through  his  instrumentality  that  the 
Indians  of  Dieskau's  expedition  were  gathered  together  and 
organized.  He  received  his  death-wound  in  the  forests  in  the 
morning,  and  his  earthly  greatness  came  to  an  end  in  the  battle 
of  September  8th,  17o5.t 

On  the  English  side.  General  Johnson,  the  commander-in- 
chief,  was  a  distinguished  character  in  the  province.  He  had 
been  superintendent  of  Indian  affairs  for  several  years,  and 
possessed  an  acute  mind  and  executive  talents  of  a  high  order. 

•  Note  X.  t  Note  XI. 


I 


;  ? 


(*as»iS^&*si»?i-?'-*» 


I 


',1  1 


i 


20 


Ilis  privnto  morals  were  bad;  but,  like  other  public  men  of 
that  day  and  thiH,  his  moral  demerit  wan,  unfortunately,  no 
bar  to  luH  public  renown.  The  King  of  Great  Britain  con- 
ferred on  liim  a  baronetcy,  and  Parliament  voted  a  tribute  to 
his  triumph  of  jGr>()0().  The  name  of  Sir  William  Johnson 
will  go  down  to  posterity  with  titled  honours  and  military  dis- 
tinction.* 

Major-Goncral  Lymav,  tho  real  hero  of  the  battle  in  the 
estimation  of  some,  directed  the  movements  of  the  provincial 
army  the  greater  part  of  the  day.  Tho  command  had  de- 
volved upon  him  in  consequence  of  a  wound  received  by 
General  Johnson  in  the  early  part  of  the  engagement,  which 
compelled  him  to  withdraw  to  his  tent.  Lyman  was  in  the 
thickept  of  the  fight,  and  guided  the  movements  of  the  field 
with  discretion  and  energy.  He  was  an  accomplished,  edu- 
cated man,  high  in  rank  at  the  bar,  a  civilian  of  some  emi- 
nence, and  deserves  well  of  his  country  for  his  military 
services  on  September  8,  1755.  It  is  not  to  the  credit  of 
General  Johnson  that  ho  does  not  even  mention  the  name  of 
General  Lyman  in  the  official  account  of  the  battle.  Nor  was 
it  very  courteous  in  Johnson  to  change  the  name  of  Fort 
Lyman,  at  the  carrying-place,  to  Fort  Edward,  which  ho  did 
only  a  few  days  after  the  battle.f 

Colonel  EriiRAiM  Williams  was  a  prominent  actor  in  the 
scenes  we  commemorate.  In  the  former  war  of  1744,  he 
commanded  the  line  of  forts  on  the '  western  side  of  the 
Connecticut  River,  and  resided  principally  at  Fort  Massachu- 
setts, which  was  about  three  miles  east  of  what  is  now 
Williamstown.  In  passing  through  Albany,  on  his  way  to 
the  seat  of  war,  he  made  his  will  on  the  22d  of  July.  After 
giving  certain  legacies  to  his  relatives,  he  bequeathed  the 
remainder  of  his  property  to  the  founding  of  a  free-school  on 
the  western  frontiers  of  Massachusetts,  at  a  place  which  re- 
ceived the  name  of  Williamstown,  in  honour  of  the  donor.  In 
1790,  the  sum  had  accumulated  to  nearly  $20,000;  $G000  of 
which  Avas  used,  with  a  similar  amount  from  other  sources,  in 
erecting  a  large  building  for  the   academy.     In   1793,   the 

*  Note  XII.  t  Note  XIII. 


21 


ublic  men  of 
rtunately,  no 

Britain  con- 
l  a  tribute  to 
iam  JuhnHon 

niilitary  dia- 

battle  in  the 
he  provincial 
and  had  de- 
received  by 
ement,  which 
n  waa  in  the 
I  of  the  field 
plished,  edu- 
of  some  emi- 
his  mihtary 
:ho  credit  of 
the  name  of 
le.  Nor  was 
ame  of  Fort 
vhich  ho  did 

actor  in  the 

of  1744,  he 

side  of  the 

rt  Massachu- 

vhat  is  now 

his  way  to 

July.     After 

jueathed   the 

ree-school  on 

ee  which  re- 

le  donor.     In 

)0;  $G000of 

er  sources,  in 

n   1793,  the 

OIE  XIII. 


academy  was  chartered  by  the  State  as  n  college,  and  wna 
calK'd  Williams  College.  iL  was  a  grciit  thought  in  the  mind 
of  Williams  to  establisli  an  instil  uHon  of  learning.  His  fame 
rests  upon  a  more  emluring  rock  than  the  reconnoitering- 
stone  of  a  military  officer;  and  his  monument  if<  seen,  not 
merely  by  glances  in  a  mountain-ravine,  but  on  the  Iiigliway 
of  nations  and  in  the  heathen  as  well  as  the  civilized  world. 
It  was  Williams  College  that  sent  out  the  fust  American 
missionaries  to  Asia;  and  her  graduates  have  the  honour  of 
originating  the  American  Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign 
Missions.  The  alumni  of  the  College  hist  year  erected  a 
tasteful  monument  to  the  memory  of  its  founder.  His  remains 
were  disinterred  some  twenty  years  ago.  A  stone,  with  the 
initials  E.  W.,  1755,  marks  the  original  place  of  his  burial, 
which  was  a  few  rods  south  of  the  monument,  on  the  western 
side  of  the  old  road.'" 

Old  Hendrick,  the  Mohawk  sachem,  fell  in  the  battle  of 
Lake  George.  He  was  the  greatest  Indian  chief  of  his  day. 
Sagacity  and  moderation  were  the  basis  of  his  character. 
Brave  in  the  field,  he  was  wise  in  council.  Ilis  integrity  was 
incorruptible;  and  his  friendship  to  the  American  colonies, 
whose  chain  was  consecrated  at  council-fires^  was  strengthened 
in  the  heat  of  trial.  Two  characteristic  anecdotes  are  told  of 
him,  as  incidents  of  the  battle  of  September  8th,  1755.  His 
opinion  being  asked  in  regard  to  the  number  of  men  at  first 
proposed  for  the  detachment  of  the  morning,  he  replied,  "  If  to 
fight,  too  few ;  if  to  be  killed,  too  many."  The  number  was 
accordingly  increased ;  but  General  Johnson  proposed  to  send 
them  out  in  three  divisions.  Hendrick  took  three  sticks,  and, 
putting  them  together,  said,  "  Put  these  sticks  together,  and 
you  can't  break  them ;  take  them  one  by  one,  and  you  will 
break  them  easily."  Previously  to  the  setting  out  of  the 
detachment,  Hendrick  harangued  his  people  in  strains  of 
fervid  eloquence.  He  was  among  the  earliest  killed.  He  had 
advanced  so  far  into  the  ambuscade  that  the  fire  from  the 
Hank  hit  him  in  the  back.  He  was  at  the  head  of  the  In- 
dians, as  represented  in  Blodget's  view  of  the  battle,  and  must 

»  Note  XIV. 


''«''*=^''~~*'^««S«<&!J&a)tet:««i^^  . 


11 


Imve  fallen  several  hundred  yards  in  advance  of  Williams; 
probably  a  third  of  the  way  between  the  monument  and  the 
present  toll-gate.  The  Indians  on  our  side  sustained  the  chiet 
attack  of  the  morning.  Out  of  two  hundred  men  they  lost 
nearly  one-fourth,  and  every  one  of  their  officers.  They  com- 
plained  to  General  Johnson  that  they  had  been  sacrificed  by 
the  backwardness  of  our  men.  The  sticks  mentioned  by  old 
Hendrick  had  not  been  tied  closely  enough  together.*  ^ 

Israel  Putnam,  who  afterwards  became  a  ftimous  general 
in  the  American  Revolution,  and  who  shared  with  Warren 
and  Stark  the  glories  of  Bunker  Hill,  was  a  private  soldier  in 
the  battle  of  Lake  George.  He  was  one  of  Williams  men  m 
the  detachment  of  the  morning.  Lake  George  was-  a  trainmg- 
place  of  his  future  greatness.  He  was  frequently  employed, 
after  the  battle,  in  reconnoitering  the  enemy.  He  was  the 
ranger  of  the  lake.  He  was  the  scout  of  the  mountain.  His 
eye  could  detect  an  Indian's  trail,  and  take  unerring  sight 
with  his  old  musket  at  any  mark  worthy  the  snap  of  the  flint. 
The  rotund,  jovial  figure  of  "Old  Put"  has  been  often  imaged 
in  the  waters  of  the  lake  and  shadowed  along  the  mountam- 
glens;  and,  in  the  regiment  of  Lyman,  no  man  did  heavier 
work  than  he  on  the  8th  of  September,  1755.t 

The  famous  John  Stark  was  in  the  army,  as  lieutenant; 
but  as  the  New  Hampshire  regiment  was  stationed  for  the 
defence  of  Fort  Edward,  it  is  probable  that  Stark  was  on  duty 

there,  and  not  in  the  battle.  ,     ,    .n    ^  u 

Other  distinguished  officers  and  men  were  on  the  battle-faeld, 
and  among  them  was  the  brave  Colonel  Titcomb,  who  was  the 
only  officer  killed  in  the  encampment,  and  whose  regiment, 
posted  on  the  extreme  right,  was  obliged  to  sustain  the  brunt 
of  Dieskau's  attack  on  that  side.  The  graves  of  Titcomb 
McGinnis,  and  the  other  officers  who  fell,  are,  no  doubt,  with 
us  to  this  day;  and,  although  the  dark  oblivion  of  a  century 
intercepts  their  individual  recognition,  tradition  points  the 
present  generation  to  the  "officers'  graves."t 

Let  us  now  notice  some  of  the  circumstances  which  gave  to 

♦Note  XV.  fNoTKXVI.  J  Note  XVII. 


^_j_l juiniii»lin»iii»'«<ll«iiiiriini»lilr  rt • ■  ""'"'  '*'"" 


of  Williams; 
nent  and  the 
ined  the  chief 
men  they  lost 
I.  They  corn- 
sacrificed  by 
tioned  by  old 
ler.* 

imous  general 
with  Warren 
vate  soldier  in 
lliams'  men  in 
vas-  a  training- 
atly  employed, 
He  was  the 
lountain.  His 
unerring  sight 
ap  of  the  flint. 
L  often  imaged 
the  mountain- 
m  did  heavier 

as  lieutenant; 
itioned  for  the 
rk  was  on  duty 

the  battle-field, 
B,  who  was  the 
hose  regiment, 
stain  the  brunt 
!s  of  Titcomb, 
no  doubt,  with 
in  of  a  century 
ion  points  the 


J  which  gave  to 

X  Note  XVII. 


23 

the  battle  of  Lake  George  a  renown  beyond  the  mere  numbers 
engaged  in  the  contest.  •  i 

I.  The  battle  of  Lake  George  is  memorable  in  defeating  a 
well-laid,  dangerous  scheme  of  the  enemy,  and  in  saving  the 
province  from  scenes  of  bloodshed  and  desolation.  If  Dieskau 
had  succeeded  in  overthrowing  Johnson  in  his  intrenchments, 
his  advance  upon  Fort  Edward  would  havfe  been  easily  suc- 
cessful, and  from  thence  his  march  to  Albany  would  have  been 
triumphant.  Old  Hendrick,  at  the  Convention  of  the  prece- 
ding year,  had  warned  the  province  of  its  danger.  "  You  are 
without  any  fortifications,"  said  he;  "It  is  but  a  step  from 
Canada  iiither,  and  the  French  may  easily  come  and  turn  you 
out  of  doors."  The  conflagration  of  our  northern  settlements 
would  have  been  followed  by  the  desolation  of  Albany  and 
Schenectady;  and,  although  Dieskau  must  have  soon  been 
compelled  to  retreat,  it  is  impossible  to  estimate  the  bloodshed, 
plunder,  and  general  losses  which  might  have  taken  place,  had 
not  God  ordered  it  otherwise.  His  providence  was  on  our 
side.  The  victory  of  Lake  George  undoubtedly  rescued  the 
province  from  injury  and  woe  beyond  computation.  Con- 
sidered, therefore,  in  its  immediate  strategical  results,  the 
battle  Avas  one  of  the  important  engagements  of  American 
history.''' 

II.  The  battle  of  Lake  George  is  remarkable  for  its  influence 
in  rallying  the  spirit  of  the  American  colonies.  Much  had  been 
expected  from  the  three  expeditions  sent  against  the  French ; 
but  disappointment  and  sorrow  had  already  followed  Brad- 
dock's  terrible  defeat.  That  event  had  occurred  only  two 
months  before,  on  the  9th  of  July.  It  was  more  than  the 
moaning  of  the  forest-pine  in  the  ears  of  the  solitary  traveller; 
it  was  the  blaze  of  lightning  falling  upon  the  mountain-oak  in 
his  very  path,  followed  by  the  crash  of  thunder.  All  the 
provinces  were  amazed,  awe-struck,  paralyzed,  for  a  time;  but, 
recovering  from  the  first  shock  of  the  calamity,  they  were 
aroused  to  avenge  their  loss.  Their  hopes  were  turned  to 
Lake  George  and  to  Niagara,  and  not  in  vain.  Johnson's 
victory  was  received  as  the  precursor  of  a  recovered  military 

*NotkXVIII.  . 


1 


iUU^^*^^**A1»»«^ 


E'Siafel*Mi^''iiiJ!**,->ifejS-, 


■,  -jiJ^i^iSftiiiSsaBtiwfe"' 


24 

position  and  fame,  and  was  hailed  as  the  means  of  deliverance 
from  a  bold  and  cruel  foe.  Few  battles  ever  produced  more 
immediate  results  in  rekindling  patriotic  and  martial  enthu- 
siasm. Congratulations  poured  in  upon  General  Johnson  from 
every  quarter.  Not  only  were  the  colonies  filled  with  re- 
joicing, but  the  influence  of  the  triumph  went  over  to  Eng- 
land, and  the  deeds  of  our  fathers  at  the  camp  of  Lake  George 
became  familiar  to  the  ears  of  Koyalty  and  were  applauded  by 
the  eloquence  of  Parliament.  The  moral  effects  of  a  battle  m 
which  the  forces  arrayed  against  each  other  were  compara- 
tively small  have  rarely  been  greater  and  more  decided  in  the 
whole  range  of  military  annals. 

III.  Viewed  simply  in  a  military  aspect,  the  battle  of  Lake 
George  was  the  mly  successful  achievement,  within  the  thirteen 
colonics,  during  tU  campaign  of  1755;  which  is  another  item 
of  its  various  renown.  Braddock's  defeat  on  the  Monongahela, 
and  Shirley's  retreat  from  Oswego,  brought  ruin  upon  the  expe- 
ditions framed  for  the  reduction  of  Forts  Duquesne  and  Nia- 
gara. Although  the  northern  expedition  failed  in  its  object  of 
reducing  Fort  Frederick,  it  had  a  show  of  glory  in  the  brilliant 
success  of  a  hard-fought  battle.  Success  in  one  direction  often 
overbalances  disappointment  in  another.  The  victory  of  Gene- 
ral Johnson  was  the  great  event  of  the  campaign  of  1755,  soli- 
tary in  the  honours  of  its  military  triumph,  and  shining  out, 
bright  as  Mars,  from  the  clouds  of  night. 

IV.  The  victory  of  Lake  George  occurred  in  the  series  of 
campaigns  that  ended  in  the  conquest  of  Canada  and  of  tU 
valley  oftlue  Great  West.    Here,  in  the  forest,  was  the  base  of  a 
line  of  operations  on  which  were  wrought  out  great  problems 
of  war.     The  mountains  of  the  lake  were  landmarks  to  con- 
duct our  armies  from  summit  to  summit  of  achievement,  until, 
passing  over  all  barriers,  they  found  their  resting-place  in  the 
valleys  of  St.  Lawrence  and  Mississippi.    Unknown  results  of 
territorial  acquisition,  and  of  political  and  religious  destiny,  lay 
concealed  in  the  expedition  which  started  for  the  capture  of 
a  single  fort  on  Lake  Champlain  and  for  the  defence  of  the 
limited  boundary-line  of  a  province.     God  disposes  of  man's 
proposals.     The  lucid  purposes  of  an  all-comprehensive  Provi- 


I  > 


'-rngsB^txts^mm 


■.jiilUMiiiwK  HirnimiwIlllWiiiWiw-iiw  ^& 


"1 


deliverance 
>duced  more 
irtial  enthu- 
ohnson  from 
ed  with  re- 
ver  to  Eng- 
Lake  George 
ipplauded  by 
if  a  battle  in 
jre  coihpara- 
ecided  in  the 

ittle  of  Lake 
1  the  thirteen 
mother  item 
ilonongahela, 
)on  the  expe- 
me  and  Nia- 
i  its  object  of 
I  the  brilliant 
irection  often 
itory  of  Gene- 
of  1755,  soli- 
shining  out, 

the  series  of 
a  and  of  tJie 
I  the  base  of  a 
reat  problems 
narks  to  con- 
vement,  until, 
g-place  in  the 
iwn  results  of 
IS  destiny,  lay 
he  capture  of 
efence  of  the 
loses  of  man's 
tiensive  Provi- 


25 

dence,  undiscemible  by  mortal  eyes,  are  brought  to  pass  by  the 
majestic  developments  of  events  apparently  remote  in  their 
relations  as  trivial  in  their  magnitude.  The  American  victory 
of  Lake  George  was  not  an  isolated  item  of  one  campaign.     It 

was  more  than  a  simple  triumph  in  an  unbroken  wilderness, 

a  military  achievement  of  the  New  England  and  New  York 
yeomanry  which  saved   themselves  from   destruction.     Far 
higher  its  moral,  political,  and  warlike  connections.     It  headed 
a  series  of  successes  that  were  followed  by  the  gain  of  king- 
doms.   It  animated  the  determination  of  the  country  to  take 
decisive  measures  for  deliverance  from  French  aggressions  and 
agitations.     "Canada,  my  lord,"  wrote  a  distinguished  New 
Yorker,  in  reviewing  the  operations  of  the  campaign,  "  Canada 
must  be  demolished,— i)e?e«c?a  est  Carthago,— or  wo  are  un- 
done."*   The  result  was  not  anticipated  at  the  beginning,  but 
the  natural  tendency  of  the  contest  was  the  overthrow  of 
French  dominion  on  the  continent.     Johnson's  victory  had  a 
true  influence  of  relation  to  this  end.    As  the  southern  inlet 
near  Fort  George  joins  itself  to  the  lake,  whose  waters  flow  to 
the   north,  and,  tossed  over  cascades  and  waterfalls,  pass  into 
the  St.  Lawrence,  so  the  expedition  of  1755,  identifying  itself 
with  a  vast  expanse  of  agencies,  pressed  forward  the  natural 
current  of  its  direction,  over  the  rocks  and  reverses  of  cam- 
paigns, into  Canada.     But  Canada  was  only  a  part  of  the  great 
acquisitions  of  the  war.     The  whole  Northwest  was  wrested 
from  France,  together  with  the  valley  of  the  Mississippi  lying 
easterly  of  that  river,  with  the  exception  of  the  island  of  Or- 
leans.    Thus  we  stand  to  day  at  one  of  the  fountain-neads  of 
American  destiny .f 

V.  The  battle  of  Lake  George  was  furthermore  memorable 
in  its  suggestions  of  provincial  prowess,  and  in  its  lessons  of  tcar- 
fare  to  t/ie  colonies  preparatory  to  their  independence.  The 
battle  was  fought  by  provincial  troops,  and  chiefly  by  the 
hardy  sons  of  glorious  New  England.  The  veteran  regulars 
of  Old  England  had  been  beaten  in  the  forests  of  Western 
Pennsylvania,  or  remained  inactive  in  the  Niagara  expedition. 
Through  some  unaccountable  cause,  the  expedition,  wliich  was 

*  Review  of  MiUtary  Operationa,  &c.,  p.  143.  '  f  Notk  XIX. 


"^''^f^mm^^mmm'- 


.^t^^imHi^ft^^sii^iiKB^' ' 


i.  ii  ( 


16 

on  the  direct  line  to  Canada,  and  nearest  to  the  F'^nch  rein- 
forcements,  known  to  be  at  hand,  was  consigned  to  the  exclu- 
sive care  of  native  colonial  soldiers;  and  bravely  d.d  they  do 
their  duty.    On  these  shores  provincial  prowess  signalized  its 
seirrelying  and  unaided  capabilities:  and  in  this  battle  and  m 
t^s  war  W  colonies  practically  learned  the  value  of  union 
and  the  unconquerable  energies  of  a  free  people.     Putnam,  and 
Stark,  and  Pomeroy,  came  here,  as  to  a  military  academy  to 
acqui;e  the  art  of  warfare;  and  they  all  exercised  their  expe- 
rience   at  Bunker  Hill.     George  Washington  himself,  as  a 
military  man,  was  nurtured  for  America  and  the  world  amid 
1  forests  of  the  Alleghanies   and  the  rifles  and  tomahawks 
of  these  French  and  Indian  struggles.     Lake  George  and  Sara- 
toga  are  contiguous  not   merely  in  territory,  but  m  heroic 
association.     Correlative  ideas,  evolved  "»«if_T«;3-S. -^^"^; 
stances,  they  are  proofs  of  the  same  spirit  of  liberty,  the  same 
strong  energy  of  purpose, 

.•And  courage  quailing  not,  thougli  hosts  oppose." 

The  battle^nes  of  the  Old  French  War  and  of  the  Kevolution 
a^  matoh-pictu^s  in  the  gallery  of  history,  to  J*  h-ded  d„™ 
tOKether  to  all  generations.  The  influence  of  the  Old  F.ench 
War,  as  the  training-field  of  the  American  Kevolufon  was  in- 
calculably great.  During  all  this  period,  too,  a  poht.cal  con- 
ffict  was  going  on  in  almost  all  the  provinces,  between  the.r 
relativ!  bodies  and  the  commissioners  of  the  plantations  in 
England;  so  that,  while  resisting  from  principle  what  were 
regarded  as  arbitrary  exactions,  the  colonies  were  becoming 
conversant  with  their  own  military  and  political  streng  h, 
which  was  laying  itself  up  in  store  for  the  crisis  of  revolu- 

^:Tw  7:herconsiderations,  the  battle  of  Lake  George 
well  deserves  some  prominence  in  the  country's  annals. 

A  few  words  about  the  tokts  must  not  be  omitted  on  tbis 

historical  occasion.  ,   t  i  •    t. 

Fort  WiLUA>c  Henhy  was  built  by  General  Johnson  just 

a  century  ago.     The  original  site  of  the  encampment  extended 


French  rein- 
to  the  exclu- 
ly  did  they  do 
signalized  its 
I  battle  and  in 
alue  of  union 
Putnam,  and 
•y  academy,  to 
2d  their  expe- 
himself,  as  a 
[le  world  amid 
lid  tomahawks 
lorge  and  Sarar 
but  in  heroic 
arying  circura- 
erty,  the  same 


the  Revolution 
)e  handed  down 
he  Old  French 
olution,  was  in- 
a  political  con- 
!,  between  their 
>  plantations  in 
iple  what  were 
were  becoming 
litical  strength, 
crisis  of  revolu- 

of  Lake  George 
i  annals. 

omitted  on  this 

•al  Johnson  just 
mpment  extended 


BQj-MWWitai  -,nfjlwi!M^— Mil 


27 

from  the  lake  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  or  upwards,  with  the  old 
road  as  the  centre,   being   flanked  by  the  marshy  laud,  and 
having  the  irregular  eminences,  on  one  of  whicli  Fort  Gcorgo 
was  afterwards  built,  as  part  ot  the  encampment.     A  few  days 
before  the  battle,  the  site  where  Fort  William  Henry  now 
stands  was  selected  for  the  building  of  a  picketed  fort,  to  con- 
tain one  iiundred  men,  and  Colonel  Williams  was  charged  with 
its   erection,    under  the  management  of  Captain  Eyres,  the 
engineer.     General  Johnson. was  from  the  beginning  opposed 
to  a  picketed  fort,  and  in  favour  of  a  regular  military  structure, 
capable  of  resisting  artillery.     This  contest  between  Johnson 
and  his  oflicers  was  probably  the  index  of  opposite  views  in 
regard  to  the  campaign  at  that  time, — Johnson   wishing  to 
remain  at  Lake  George   and   construct  a  large   fortification, 
while  the  oflicers  aimed  at  putting  up  a  temporary  defence  and 
proceeding  at  once  to  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point.     After  a 
contest  of  nearly  a  month,  during  which  time  General  Johnson 
managed  to  secure  the  opinion  of  the  general-in-chief  and  the 
acting  governor  of  the  State  in  favour  of  his  views,  and  it 
becoming  evident  that  the  expedition  could  not  advance  this 
season,  the  council  of  officers  agreed  to  change  the  plan  of 
a  small  stockade  fort  into  a  more  regular  work,  capable  of 
holding  five  hundred  men.     This  opinion  was  arrived  at  on 
the  29th  of  September,  and  the  new  fortification  was  imme- 
diately commenced,  prosecuted  with  some  vigour,  and  finished  in 
about  two  months.     The  name  William  Henry  was  given  by 
General  Johnson  "in  ho-^our  of  two  of  the  royal  family." 
The  site  of  the  fort  always  had  opponents.     It  was  "  fiiulted 
by  Montressor,  the  chief-engineer;"  and  General  Johnson  was 
early  obliged   to  vindicate  it   from   the  objections  still  pre- 
vailing. -^ 

The  history  of  Fort  William  Henry  is  a  short  and  mournful 
one.  It  capitulated,  after  a  brave  defence,  to  the  French 
general,  Montcalm,  on  the  9th  of  August,  1757,  and  a  large 
part  of  the  garrison  were  inhumanly  massacred  by  the  Indians. 
The  vestiges  that  remain  are  hallowed  by  ancient  recollections; 
and  the  proprietors  of  the  soil  have  patriotically  determined 


U^iM^fi&^ia^d^ei^ifiiif 


..■laaiaiajKL-  ii   .  »i^^ 


28 

that  the  site  shall  be  forever  reserved  and  kept  free  from  the 
encroachments  of  modern  improvement/"        ,      ,„  ^    ^  , 

The  eminence  at  Fort  Geohge  was  "  hncd  out   by  Genera 
Abercrombic  in  1758-the  year  following  the  destruction  of  Fort 
William  Henry;  but  the  mason-work  was  not  built  until  the 
following  year,  1759,  by  the  army  under  General  Amhersu 
Its  site  was  part  of  Johnson's  original  encampment.     It  was 
also  the  encampment  of  a  division  of  Colonel  Monroes  army 
when  Fort  William  Henry  capitulated.    The  garrison  at  that 
time  embraced  about  five  hundred  men,  ^f  f «  ;^"^^'*^»^,^"^?,":  ' 
around  the  eminence  held  seventeen  hundred     One  of  the  hrst 
things  that  Montcalm  did  was  to  post  a  large  detachment  on  the 
road  to  the  south,  for  the  purpose  of  cutting  off  supplies  from  the 
rear  and  of  harassing  the  communication  between  the  intrench- 
ments  and  the  fort.     The  eminence  was  intrenched  by  General 
Abercrombie,  after  his  defeat  at  Ticonderoga.f    In  tha    dis- 
astrous action  the  English  had  about  two  thousand  men  killed 
and  wounded.     One  of  the  Highland  regiments,  comma^iaed  by 
the  gallant  Colonel  Grant,  went  into  the  action  eight  hundred 
strong,  and  came  out  with  the  loss  of  nearly  one-half.     The 
Presbyterian  clergyman,   before  the  engagement    ended  his 
few  remarks  by  saying,  "My  lads,  I  ha'e  nae  time  for  Jang 
preachments;  a'  I  ha'e  to  say  is,  nae  cowards  gae  to  heaven. 
Fort  George  has  no  special  renown  on  the  pages  of  history.? 

Fort  gIge  was  built  in  1759,  while  General  Amherst  was  at 
the  lake.  It  was  named  in  honour  of  General  Gage,  who 
commanded  the  light  infantry.  Gage  was  with  Braddock  at 
the  time  of  his  defeat.  He  afterwards  received  the  appointment 
of  general,  and  subsequently  was  governor  of  Massachusetts,- 
the  last  provincial  governor  that  the  old  Bay  State  allowed  in 
her  councils.§  ,  ,  , 

The  battles,  the  forts,  the  intrenchments,  the  ruins,  the 
roads,l|  the  graves,  of  this  vicinity,  are  all  memorials  of  the 
Old  French  War.  That  war  resulted  in  the  most  important 
conquests.     It  was,  in  fact,  a  war  of  Protestar  I  u^'  Inst  Roman 


*  Note  XX. 
g  NOTB  XXIU. 


f  Note  XXI. 


X  Note  XXII. 
II  Note  XXIV. 


-i:>^lil*jK.  i^-.v  -.^^vil.-x^i;-  ■ , 


--.-  rtgg*EKffT^**«*H.  ^. 


"fSfViii::^  -t 


'ree  from  the 

t"  by  General 
action  of  Fort 
ailt  until  the 
iral  Amherst, 
lent.     It  was 
[onroe's  army 
rrison  at  that 
intrenchments 
)ne  of  the  first 
jhment  on  the 
Dplies  from  the 
I  the  intrench- 
led  by  General 
In  that  dis- 
,nd  men  killed 
;ommand,ed  by 
eight  hundred 
one-half.     The 
nt,   ended  his 
time  for  lang 
ae  to  heaven." 
of  history  .J 
\.mherst  was  at 
ral  Gage,  who 
h  Braddock  at 
he  appointment 
assachusetts, — 
Itate  allowed  in 


the  ruins,  the 
emorials  of  the 
most  important 
.  uo-Inst  Roman 

X  Note  XXII. 
II  Note  XXIV. 


.,\^v  ju.5ei»«er*is»*«»':-^ 


29 

Catholic  Cliristianity;  and  on  its  issues  the  destiny  of  the 
mighty  valleys  of  the  West  was  pre-eminently  dependent.  God 
raised  up  William  Pitt,  "the  great  Commoner,"  to  preside 
oyer  the  afHiirs  of  England  at  this  critical  period  ;  and  through 
his  glorious  administration,  commencing  in  1757,  England 
recovered  her  position  among  the  nations  and  resumed  her 
wonted  superiority  on  the  continent.  Prussia  was  the  only 
power  that  struggled  with  her,  side  by  side,  against  tlie  common 
foe.  The  greatest  trophies  won  by  England  during  the  war 
were  in  this  Western  World.  The  possession  of  Canada  and 
the  peaceable  enjoyment  of  her  North  American  colonies  were 
rewards  worthy  the  struggle  of  an  Anglo-Saxon  kingdom.* 

The  peace  of  17C3  enabled  King  George  III.,  who  had 
recently  ascended  the  throne,  to  carry  out  his  design  of  over- 
awing the  colonies  by  arbitrary  power.  William  Pitt,  the 
man  of  the  people,  resigned  his  office,  and  a  diflerent  policy 
prevailed.  The  American  Revolution  ensued,  and  France,  our 
former  colonial  enemy,  became  our  effective  ally  against  Eng- 
land. The  Revolutionary  War  is  naturally  the  one  that  most 
deeply  stirs  the  heart  of  our  patriotism;  and  177G,  the  liberty- 
epoch  in  American  annals,  has  a  national  priority  over  every 
other  historical  period.  Yet  not  in  vain  does  1755  claim 
honour  in  these  regions  of  the  lake.  Here  the  associations  of 
the  Old  French  War  predominate ;  and  history,  interrogating 
nature,  learns  from  mountain,  and  lake,  and  water-brook,  and 
plain,  that  armies  here  fought  for  the  rights  of  crowns  and  for 
vast  territorial  domains. 

0  thou  Lake,  islet-decked  as  with  gems  for  maiden  beauty, 
and  intelligent,  in  the  depth  of  thy  clear  waters,  in  scenes  of 
the  olden  time,  we  hail  thee  to-day,  Reminiscencer  and  Teacher! 
And  you,  ye  Mountains,  where  come  the  four  seasons,  mon- 
archs  of  the  solitude,  to  pay  the  tribute  of  the  year,— hail  to 
you  for  the  sight  of  your  majestic  presence,  for  the  voiced 
memories  of  a  century,  for  your  glens  reverberating  with  solemn 
sound  the  aijhievements  of  our  sires!  Ye  Forts,  weak  in  triple 
confederacy,  the  work  of  man  and  the  contrivance  of  war,  we 

*  Note  XXV. 


»^i^b^^i«0as'<" 


..JJ   tail 


i'' 


r 

IF? 


30 

rejoice  that  your  mission  is  over,  and  that  yc  stand  like 
antinuarians  with  reUcs  in  yonr  hands  rather  than  as  warriors 
equipped  for  the  battle-field !  And  you,  ye  Graves,  mounding 
hill-top  and  i)lain,  scarcely  distinguishable  from  the  furrows  of 
the  harvest-field,— ah !  Death,  who  digs  deeper  than  the  plough, 
has  sewn  in  you  the  seeds  of  resurrection,— seeds  which  the 
storms  of  centuries  do  but  harrow  for  the  reaping  at  the 
hi-gathering  time ;  ye  are  fertile  with  the  bodies  of  men ;  and, 
when  earth  shall  be  buried  in  the  ruins  of  its  final  doom,  ye 
shall  bring  forth  your  tenants  clothed  with  immortality  !* 

Every  view  of  the  lake  and  every  pass  of  the  hills  have 
some  tradition  of  ancient  deed  and  story  which  this  day  com- 
memorates.    In  the  midst  of   the   scenes  of   our  historical 
festival,  let  us  use  our  patriotic  emotions  in  perpetuating  the 
records  of  the  past  century  in  some  consistent  and  enduring 
form.     I  venture  to  propose  that  a  monument  be  erected  at  the 
old  hittle-fiehl  of  Lake  George,  on  one  side  of  which  an  appro- 
priate  memorial  of  the   contest   shall   be   engraved,  and   on 
another  side  an  epitaph  to  the  courageous  Colonel  Titcomb  and 
the  other  officers  who  died  in  defending  their  country.     I  also 
venture  to  suggest  that  another  monument  be  erected  to  the 
memory  of  Hendrick,  the  famous  Mohawk  chieftain,  near  the 
spot  where  he  is  supposed  to  have  fallen.     Monuments  are  of 
great  public  use.     They  are  pages  of  history  to  the  people; 
they  are   the   rallying-points  of  earnest  patriotism;    they  are 
records  of   national  gratitude;   they  are  memorials  of  God's 
providential  intei-position ;    they  are  pleasing  objects  of  sight 
to  the  spectator  and  traveller,  and  have  been  regarded  by  all 
civilized  nations  as  worthy  of  the  public  expenditure,  interest, 
ana  care.     Thus  may  the  old  century  receive  fresh  homage 
from  the  new,  and  an  increase  of  glory  emblazon  on   our 
country's  flag  the  inscription  woven  in  upon  it  at  Lake  George, 
of  Sei'tember  8th,  1755.t 

One  hundred  years— one  hundred  years— are  gone.     Rapid 
is  the  roll  of  centuries.     Majestic  clouds  in  the  firmament  of 


*  Note  XXVI. 


t  Note  XXVII. 


,  ^-c^i^Aw^iilgfri-iiy^^fs^m^^^^^-vVvs^-^iaa'^ 


.it.''!**.**!**'- 


jXi^n&imiafn^'»i»'- 


re  gone.     Rapid 
le  firmament  of 


31 


H 


c  stand  like 
m  a«  warriors 
■es,  mounding 
lie  furrows  of 
,n  the  plough, 
ids  which  the 
japing  at  the 
of  men ;  and, 
final  doom,  ye 
)rtality  !* 

the  hills  have 
this  day  com- 
our  historical 
rpctuating  the 
and  enduring 

2  erected  at  the 
lich  an  appro- 
raved,  and  on 
;l  Titcomb  and 
)untry.     I  also 

erected  to  the 
ftain,  near  the 
luments  are  of 
to  the  people; 
;ism;  they  are 
orials  of  God's 
objects  of  sight 
regarded  by  all 
diture,  interest, 

3  fresh  homage 
iblazon  on  our 
Ett  Lake  George, 


time,  they  fleet  away,  bearing  on  their  diversified  forms  the 
light  and  shade  of  human  destiny.  Everywhere,  as  here,  . 
seen  the  vanity  of  earthly  scenes,  except  as  they  are  connected 
with  the  ends  of  an  everlasting  kingdom.  Results  eii<hn-e,  but 
generations  perish.  Sleeping  are  the  warriors  that  fougiit,  the 
councillors  that  schemed,  the  people  that  acted.  The  Celtic 
sway  of  the  Rourbon,  once  dominant  on  the  lake,  is  silent  as 
the  graves  of  Champlain  and  Montcalm.  The  Iroquois  have 
vanished  from  the  forests  and  valleys  of  their  ancient  hunting- 
grounds;  and  the  hardy  race  of  Anglo-Saxon  ancestry  now 
occupy  their  possessions  amid  the  landmarks  of  civil  liberty 
and  the  institutions  of  the  Reformation.  Welcome  the  new 
century  in  the  procession  of  ages!  May  the  eras  of  human  im- 
provement be  contemporaries  of  its  advancing  cycles,  and  its 
calendar  abound  in  festival  blessings  for  our  country  and  tlie 
world.  And  to  thee,  old  century,  farewell !  The  good  of  the 
past  shall  never  die.  When  mountain  and  lake  shall  tlee 
away  in  the  retinue  of  time,  and  the  earth  and  the  firmament 
be  scrolled  up  for  eternal  judgment,  the  history  of  these  scenes, 
and  all  human  histories,  shall  be  perpetuated  in  honour  so  far 
as  they  were  tributary  to  the  history  of  redemption. 


TE  xxvii. 


ry  ' 


i>' 


^ 


r.^ 


'  .«.,■'-'>.. 


'«j«i«|i»)({j^Ka%i«W5««Hi«I»>«MMS» 


g^^aeaafewitfc  "''■  i"- 


iMm. 


APPENDIX. 


THE  CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION. 

Tub  preliminary  action  of  the  citizens  of  Caldwell,  the  official  account  of  the  celebration, 
aud  a  notice  of  the  regatta,  are  appended  to  the  discourse  as  historical  incidents. 


PRELIMINARY  MEASURES  TAKEN. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Caldwell  on  August  31  st,  1855,  a  committee  was 
appointed  to  take  measures  for  the  celebration  of  "  the  victory  at  Lake  George  on  the 
8th  of  September,  1755.  The  committee  issued  the  following  announcement,  in  the  form 
of  a  hand-bill : — 

"  The  Centennial  CEiEnnATioN  of  the  Battle  of  Lake  Geokge,  8th  of  Sept.,  1755, 
will  toko  place  at  Caldwell  on  Saturday,  8th  of  September.  A  discourse  appropriate  to 
the  occasion  will  lo  delivered  at  12  m.,  iu  the  Court-Houso,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Van 
Rensselaer. 

"  Caldwell,  Sept.  lat,  1855. 

"Tiios.  Archibald," 

"  John  P.  SiiERRiLi,         Committee 

"T.  BOWEN,  of 

"W.  W.  HicRs,  Arrangement." 

>      r      ,  '  "S.  R.  Aucuibald,  J 


CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION  AT  LAKE  GEORGE. 

This  account  of  the  celebration  is  extracted  from  the  Albany  Express  of  September  12th, 
1855,  of  which  Carleton  Edwards,  Esq.,  was  at  that  time  editor: — 

We  had  the  pleasure  of  being  one  of  the  large  party  which,  on  Saturday  last,  attended 
the  Centennial  Celebration  of  the  Battle  of  Lake  George,  at  Caldwell.  Taking  lodgings 
with  "mine  host"  of  the  favourite  and  favoured  Lake  House,  wo  found  the  village  alive 
with  the  bustle  and  preparations  of  the  approaching  f^te.  The  ladies  of  the  Lake  House 
had  taken  the  affair  under  their  especial  superintendence,  had  prepared  a  large  number  of 
decorations  and  flags  and  emblems,  and  by  their  enthusiasm  and  tact,  shown  in  countless 
other  ways,  imparted  a  prestige  to  the  occasion  which  secured  its  complete  success.    The 

a  '33 


immmi 


':^m^^m^s^B^mmiimmmms^- 


imtm 


-im^  «k^ 


lil 


u 


pAtriolio  laillen  of  the  Uke  IIouw  were  nlily  iccomled  by  the  Rcntlomcn  ^luitnri  nn.l  \>y 
the  citiionn  of  Wurrcn  comity,  undor  wIiono  Hupcriutoudonco  the  following  progrommo  wa« 
e«tabliiihcd  a»  the  "order"  for  the  day: — 

Ordtr  of  Arrangrmenti,  SfpUmber  %th,  1856. 

I.  A  Bun  Bt  sunrlno.  .  .    ^i  it 

ir.  Tlio  iirocc^xion  will  he  formed  nt  11  o'clock,  a.m.,  and  proceed  to  the  courl-houw. 
Mimit»!-iriiiiH  will  ho  tired  nnd  the  hells  rung  during  the  proccMHion.  ,.,„., 

III.  KxcrciHcd  nt  the  Court-llouHc:  vi«..  1st.  I'riiycr  hy  llcv.  Mr.  Goodman;  i!d.  Martial 
mnsio;  ltd,  Addri'K.'<  t)y  Hcv.  C.  Van  Uen.isclucr;  -Ith,  Munio. 

IV.  Niitioiiiil  Mftluto  at  noon.  ,        ,  .1 

V.  llt'giittft  in  llio  utternoon  on  the  lake,  with  music,  flags,  and  appropriate  docoratloni. 

VI.  Niitioniil  Mivluto  at  Hunset.  ; 

VII.  Display  of  tireworks  in  the  evening  at  the  firing  of  the  signal  cannon. 

The  programme  was  followed  out  to  the  letter,  and  with  a  uplrit  and  enthusiasm  which 
we  seldom  see  oven  in  our  largest  cities.  At  sunrise  a  heavy  gun  broke  the  solemn  stiil- 
ness  of  the  lake,  and  awoke  those  grand  old  echoes  which  a  century  ogo  answered  the 
fatal  guns  of  the  American  camp.  At  11  a.m.  the  procession  left  the  Lake  House  to  the 
music  of  "Hail  Columbia"  and  "God  Save  the  Queen,"  the  Revolutionary  Bol(lier.s  of 
Warren  county  and  the  ladies,  preceded  by  their  committee,  being  ossigned  the  places  of 
honour.  The  court-house  was  very  appropriately  dressed  with  American,  French,  and 
English  flags.  Of  the  address  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Van  Rensselaer  our  readers  must  judge  for 
theniHelves  ;  for,  despairing  of  doing  it  justice  by  any  report  of  our  own,  we  have  concluded, 
ot  the  request  of  tlie  citiicns  of  Caldwell,  to  publish  it  in  full.  In  addition  to  its  graceful 
and  scholarly  tone,  and  the  eloquence  of  many  passages,  which  rise  to  the  dignity  of  true 
poetry,  it  is  a  complete  and  careful  accopjt  of  a  famous  passage  in  American  history ;  and, 
considering  the  perishable  nature  of  the  traditions  and  records  of  colonial  times,  should  be 
preserved  in  some  more  enduring  form  than  the  columns  of  a  newspaper.  The  people  of 
Caldwell  intend  so  to  preserve  it. 

In  the  afternoon  there  was  a  beautiful  regatta  on  the  lake,  under  the  command  of 
Richard  Davids,  Esq.,  of  Philadelphia,  installed  admiral  for  the  occasion,  and  whose  beau- 
tiful "Prairie-Bird,"  dressed  with  the  American  flag  and  variegated  streamers,  excited 
universal  admiration.  Altogether  there  were  about  twenty-flve  boats  in  the  fleet,  deco- 
rated with  Scotch,  Irish,  English,  French,  and  American  flags;  and  the  orderly  and 
Benman-liko  manner  in  which  the  nquatio  procession  was  manoeuvred  reflected  great  credit 
on  the  admiral  01  the  day. 

At  sunset  there  was  a  national  salute ;  and,  as  darkness  gathered  over  the  mountains, 
the  rockets  were  sot  forth— fiery  heralds  and  forerunners  of  the  beautiful  pyrotechnic  dis- 
play which  soon  illuminated  the  loke.  And  so— brilliantly  illuminated  to  the  last— ended 
a  day  which  nature  had  favoured  throughout  with  a  cloudless  sky  and  a  pure  and  bracing 
atmosphere,— a  day  to  be  marked  with  white  in  the  American  calendar,  and  which  was 
most  nobly  and  appropriately  celebrated  on  the  classic  ground  of  the  Old  French  War.  To 
the  writer  of  this  hastily-prepared  and  altogether  inadequate  report,  himself  a  lineal 
descendant  of  one  of  the  American  riflemen  who  fought  on  that  day,  it  was  an  occasion  of 
CKpecial  pleasure  and  pride.  One  by  one  the  gallant  men  who  took  part  in  those  stirring 
scenes  have  passed  away ;  the  traditions  are  already  becoming  obscure  and  the  records 
scanty,  and  it  becomes  us  of  this  generation  to  gather  them  together  and  preserve  them 
while  we  may.  It  will  be  seen,  by  a  report  elsewhere  published,  that  the  citizens  of  Cald- 
well do  not  rest  content  with  the  centennial  pageant,  but  have  taken  measures  for  the  erec- 
tion of  two  monuments  on  the  battle-ground— one  to  commemorate  the  battle  of  Lake 
George  and  tributary  to  the  memory  of  those  who  fell  in  it,  nnd  another  in  honour  of  Hen- 
drick,  the  gallant  sachem  of  the  Mohawks,  who  also  fell  on  that  memorable  day. 


'-'teaiBSsa^'SaaiKrC'ViiWMiaca^fagwasiaiE^^ 


.  r"ifiiki!"it> 


"m  \ 


men  vlnitnri  nml  \>y 
ing  prDgi'ummo  wn* 


1  to  the  eourt-houif . 
lodman ;  2J,  Martial 

oprlato  docoratloM. 

cannon. 

id  onthuiimflm  which 
oko  tho  Hulomu  utill- 
ry  ago  anHWcrcJ  tho 
0  Lake  IIouso  to  the 
lutioniiry  Buliliers  of 
ssigneil  tho  pliiccH  of 
loricun,  French,  and 
adors  must  judge  for 
1,  we  have  concluded, 
Idition  to  its  graceful 
to  tho  dignity  of  true 
nerican  history;  and, 
)nial  times,  should  be 
ipor.     Tho  people  of 

(ler  tho  command  of 
ion,  and  whoso  boau- 
id  struamcra,  excited 
its  in  the  fleet,  deco- 
and  the  orderly  ond 
reflected  great  credit 

d  over  the  mountains, 
itiful  pyroteclinic  dia- 
led to  the  last — ended 
id  a  pure  and  bracing 
endar,  and  which  was 
Old  French  War.  To 
port,  himself  a  lineal 
it  was  an  occasion  of 
:  part  in  those  stiiTing 
isuuro  and  tho  records 
lier  and  preserve  them 
it  the  citizens  of  Cald- 
measures  for  the  erec- 
ite  the  battle  of  Lake 
,her  in  honour  of  Ileu- 
imorablo  day. 


S5 


THE  REGATTA  ON   THE   LAKE. 

Wrillen  by  <i  i/ounif  gmtUman  in  fht  "Runyer  of  the  Lake,"  Srptftnhtr  ^ih,  1855. 

About  half-pnit  three  In  tho  afternoon  tho  people  camo  down  to  the  shorn  in  groat  num- 
bers, to  witness  llic  regatta  on  tho  lake,"  wiiich  was  then  to  take  pluco,  aii'tiiilliig  to  tho 
progranimo.  Tin!  Imats,  in  all  about  twenty-Hvo  or  thirty,  wore  beautifully  (li'eH.icil  with 
flags,  which  the  ladios  of  the  '*  Lake  House"  hail  been  diligently  engageil  in  niukiiig  I'nr  u 
week  beforehand.  From  10  o'clock  in  the  morning  until  il  i>.u.  the  boats  wuru  anchored 
out  on  the  liike,  a  short  ilistanoo  from  tho  shore. 

The  rognlta  was  under  the  supcrintcnilence  of  Coninio<loro  Uicil.MiD  Davids,  of  Phila- 
delphiu,  dressed  in  tho  uniform  of  an  Admiral  nf  thr  /int.  His  boat,  the  beautiful  "  I'lairie- 
Bird,"  was  decorated  with  flags,  and  his  wholo  ei|uipiiioi'*  nailed  forth  unbounded  praise 
and  admiration  from  all  beholders.  The  boats,  being  ranged  ':>•  front  of  tho  "  Luke  House," 
started  in  single  fllo,  the  band  taking  tho  lead  in  tho  "  Uaiiger  of  tho  Lake."  They  moved 
slowly  on,  in  beautiful  order,  in  the  direction  of  Fort  William  Henry,  th  eprocession  ex- 
tomling  almost  tho  entire  distance.  When  not  far  from  tho  southern  shore,  the  bouts 
made  a  beautiful  curve,  following  in  tho  wake  of  tho  corimiodore.  Then,  proceeding  a 
short  distance,  they  turned  again  to  the  left  iind  fornieil  in  a  straight  lino  in  front  of  tho 
"  Lake  House,"  each  boat  coming  into  rank  twenty  or  thirty  feet  beyond  its  neighbour, 
nn<l  the  wholo  lino  oxtcnilitig  a  good  distance  down  tho  lake.  Thon,  at  a  given  signal  front 
tho  commodore,  tho  band,  which  was  in  front,  commenced  playing,  and  tho  bouts  advanced 
in  perfect  order  towards  tho  "  Luke  House."  When  near  the  shore  tho  boats  turned  to  tlio 
loft  and  formed  in  single  fllo  again,  and  thon,  turning  to  tho  right,  each  boat  went  to  its 
respective  wharf. 

Ueforo  the  exorcises  of  tho  afternoon  were  otcr,  ihe  commodore  proposed  three  cheers 
for  the  "orator  of  tho  day,"  which  was  responded  to  very  heartily.  Then  three  heariv 
cheors  wore  given  for  tho  commodore;  and,  last,  but  not  by  any  means  tho  least,  ninb 
cheers  for  the  ladies.  This  cheerful  ceremony  concluded  tho  exercises,  and  the  people 
went  homo  delighted  with  tho  regatta  and  loudly  praising  tho  skilful  managumeut  of  th« 
commodore. 


t; 


j^:. 


a*»®*i«*W«««««*--'*^^ 


^ 


NOTES  TO  THE  DISCOURSE. 


f^*^  These  Notes  have  boon  written  on  points  which  excited  an  interest  in  the  author's 
mind  while  preparing  the  Discourse.  There  is  some  repetition,  which  could  not  be  well 
avoided  under  the  circumstances.  The  Notes  are  submitted  to  the  public  in  the  hope  that 
the  investigations  contained  in  them  may  be  found  to  elucidate  the  history  of  the  locality 
and  to  answer  some  of  the  inquiries  which  may  naturally  arise  in  the  minds  of  yisitors 
and  others. 


ill  >:, 


NOTE  I.— Pago  6. 


TUB  IROQUOIS. 


The  Iboquois,  or  Five  Nations,  were  the  most  celebrated  tribes  of  Indians  in  Nprth 
America.  Tlic  traditions  in  respect  to  their  early  history  are  vague  and  unsatisfactory. 
The  date  of  their  Alliance  was  probably  about  the  middle  of  the  sixteenth  century,  or  1550. 
A  Dutch  missionary  at  Diondcrog'a,  [Fort  Hunter,]  writing  in  1746,  states  that,  according 
to  the  best  information  he  could  obtain  from  the  Mohawks,  the  alliance  took  place  "one 
tvgc,  or  the  length  of  a  man's  life,  before  the  white  people  came  into  the  country," — which  latter 
event  was  in  1C09.  The  names  of  the  confederated  tribes  were  the  Mohawks,  the  Oneidas, 
tho  Onondagas,  the  Cayugas,  and  the  Senecas.  The  name  of  the  confederation  was  Kono- 
ihioni,  meaning  People  of  the  Long  House,  or  a  United  People.  This  Long  House  extended 
from  the  Hudson  to  Lake  Eric,  and  on  the  north  to  the  St.  Lawrence.  According  to  Mr. 
Bancroft,  "  Tho  immediate  dominion  of  the  Iroquois  stretched  from  the  borders  of  Vermont 
to  Western  New  York,  and  from  the  Lakes  to  tho  head-waters  of  the  Ohio,  the  Susque- 
hanna, and  tho  Delaware."  "  The  peninsula  of  Upper  Canada  was  their  hunting-fiald  by 
right  of  war."*  The  Tuscaroras,  who  were  a  branch  of  tho  parent  stock,  but  who  had 
settled  in  IJorth  Carolina,  reunited  with  the  Iroquois  in  1713,  and  thenceforth  formed  part 
of  the  confederacy.  Tho  appellation  of  "Six  Nations"  is  derived  from  this  accession  of 
tho  Tuscaroras. 

The  Iroquois  were  a  brave,  warlike  people,  and  carried  their  conquests  far  and  wide.  In 
tho  language  of  Mr.  Schoolcraft,  "  History,  guiding  the  pen  of  tho  French  Jesuit,  describes 
them  as  pouring  in  their  canoes  through  the  myriad  streams  that  interlace  in  Western  New 
York,  and  debouching,  now  on  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence,  now  on  the  Chesapeake— glancing 
again  over  the  waves  of  the  Michigan,  and  now  again  plying  their  paddles  in  tho  waves  of 
the  turbid  Mississippi.  Wherever  they  went,  they  carried  proofs  of  their  energy,  courage, 
and  enterprise. 

"At  one  period,  we  hear  the  sound  of  their  war-cry  along  tho  straits  of  the  St.  Mary's, 
: '  d  at  tho  foot  of  Lake  Superior ;  at  another,  under  tho  walla  of  Quebec,  where  they 


80 


*  Ilist.  of  U.  S.,  iU.  214,  245. 


"~;*3ftii»^BnK»iwaBassi-a«iH8iBi8  ^^WK^«*^^iii^i^i'^msmsmitxs»0x>SiiWiii»iisiii 


37 


terest  in  the  author's 
lich  could  nut  bo  well 
iblic  in  the  hope  that 
istory  of  the  locality 
the  minds  of  yisitors 


of  Indians  in  Uprth 
10  and  unsatisfactory, 
inth  century,  or  1550. 
states  that,  according 
nee  took  place  "one 
untry," — which  latter 
[ohawks,  the  Oneidas, 
ifedcration  was  Kono- 
Long  House  extended 
le.  According  to  Mr. 
le  borders  of  Vermont 
he  Ohio,  the  Susque- 
their  hunting-fisld  by 
t  stock,  but  who  had 
jnceforth  formed  part 
rom  this  accession  of 

ests  far  and  wide.  In 
ench  Jesuit,  describes 
jrlace  in  Western  New 
Chesapeake — glancing 
iddles  in  the  waves  of 
their  energy,  courage, 

lits  of  the  St.  Mary's, 
f  Quebec,  where  they 


finally  defeated  the  Huron*,  under  the  eyes  of  the  French.  They  put  out  the  fires  of  tho 
Gahkwns  and  Erics.  They  eradicated  tho  Susquchnnims.  They  placed  the  Lenapcs,  tho 
Nanticokes,  and  tiic  Munsecs,  under  the  yoke  of  subjection.  They  put  tlie  Mctoacks  and 
tho  Manhattans  under  tribute.  They  spread  the  terror  of  their  arms  over  all  New  England. 
They  traversed  the  whole  length  of  the  Appalachian  cliain,  and  descended,  like  the  enraged 
Yagisho  and  Megalonyx,  on  tiie  Chcrokecs  and  the  Catawbas.  Smitli  encountered  their 
warriors  in  the  settlement  of  Virginia,  and  La  Salle  on  the  discovery  of  the  Illinois.  Na- 
tions trembled  when  they  heard  the  name  of  Konoihioni."*  Tho  Uev.  Charles  Inglis, 
minister  of  Trinity  Church,  New  York,  says,  in  his  "  Memorial  concerning  the  Iroquois :" — 
«'  The  spirit  of  conquest  carried  them  far  beyond  the  limits  of  their  own  native  districts. 
They  have  extended  their  empire  over  a  country  1200  miles  in  length  from  north  to  south, 
and  COO  in  breadth  from  east  to  west."! 

The  head-quarters  or  seat  of  the  Iroquois  council-fires  was  on  tho  banks  of  the  Onon- 
daga Lake,  among  tho  Onondagas,  who  were  the  most  central  tribe.  Various  ancient 
tumuli,  fortifications,  intrenchments,  and  other  works,  in  Western  New  York,  are  objects 
of  great  interest  to  antiquarians.  In  their  best  days,  the  Iroquois  could  bring  several 
thousand  warriors  into  tho  field.  The  number  of  fighting  men,  at  the  time  of  the  Old 
French  AVar,  according  to  Sir  AVm.  Johnson,  J  was  about  two  thousand.  Owing  in  a  great 
measure  to  the  influence  of  Sir  Wm.  Johnson,  who  resided  among  them,  the  Iroquois  re- 
mained firm  to  the  English  and  American  cause  throughout  that  war,  notwithstanding  all 
the  artful  cflforts  of  the  French.  In  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  the  Iroquois  took  sides 
with  tho  British  against  the  Americans.  The  influence  of  the  Johnson  family  contributed 
to  secure  this  result.  Brant  was  their  most  famous  chieftain  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution. 
After  tho  war,  most  of  the  Mohawks  and  many  of  tho  Onondagas  and  Cayugas  retired 
into  Canada,  whilst  tho  Oneidas  and  parts  of  tho  other  Western  tribes  remained.  In  1784, 
at  the  treaty  of  Fort  Stanwix,  and  at  subsequent  treaties,  they  ceded  away  most  of  their 
ancient  domain.  Tho  number  of  Iroquois  now  residing  in  the  State  of  New  York  on  tho 
Reservations  is  quite  small.  The  remnants  of  some  of  the  tribes  are  to  be  found  in  Wis- 
consin and  the  Far  West.  A  century  has  made  a  great  difi'erence  in  the  power  atid  posses- 
sions of  the  once  famous  Konoshioni,  and,  like  the  French,  who  were  their  inveterate 
enemies,  they  have  disappeared  from  the  high  places  of  their  former  glory. 


NOTE  IL— Page  6. 

8AMVEL  DB   OnAMFLAIN.  <     >      .      ' 

A  remarkable  example  of  historical  coincidence  is  exhibited  in  the  discoveries  by  Cham- 
plain  in  Northern  New  York,  almost  at  the  very  time  that  Hudson,  from  the  south,  was 
ascending  the  river  that  now  bears  his  name.  Champlain  was  on  tho  Upper  St.  Lawrence 
and  Lake  Champlain  in  June,  July,  and  August,  of  1C09 ;  whilst  Ilendrick  Hudson  sailed 
past  Manhattan  and  up  the  magnificent  Hudson  as  far  as  the  neighbourhood  of  Albany,  in 
September  of  the  same  year.  They  left  memorials  of  their  discoveries  in  the  names  which 
geography  has  made  immortal. 

Some  account  of  Champlain  may  be  interesting,  especially  to  travellers  on  tho  northern 
lakes. 

Samuel  de  Champlain,  of  Saint  Onge,  was  a  captain  in  the  French  navy,  and  a 
military  officer  of  scientific  and  liteiary  attainments.  He  was  a  man  of  enterprise, 
of  a  bold,  active  spirit,  persevering  in  tho  pursuit  of  his  schemes,  and  well  trained  to 


I; 


*  Notes  of  Iroquois,  p.  62 


t  Doc.  Illst.  of  N.  Y.,  It.  1091. 


X  Doc.  Uist.,  i.  20. 


mm^mtikigsiBi^iammmmtt-i 


;^£S^i^i^msm^m^ii^^s^s^^^ismssmm" 


y 


m 


38        • 

carry  them  into  execution.  By  command  of  the  king,  Champlain,  who  had  just  returned 
from  a  voyage  to  the  West  Indies,  was  ordered,  in  1602,  to  accompany  the  Sieur  du  Pont 
Gravd,  a  wealthy  merchant  of  St.  Malo,  into  Canada.  Setting  sail  near  the  close  of  1002, 
Champlain  reached  Canada  early  in  1608,  and  sailed  up  the  St.  Lawrence  as  far  as  Mon- 
treal. His  second  voyage  was  in  1604,  when  he  was  absent  four  years,  spending  a  large 
part  of  his  time  in  exploring  Acadia  and  its  vicinity.  He  sailed  the  third  time  from  France 
in  1608,  and  selected  Quebec  as  the  future  capital  of  New  France.  Ho  and  his  companions 
epent  the  winter  in  a  few  rude  huts,  which  were  the  first  European  tenements  erected  on 
the  banks  of  the  St.  Lawrence. 

In  the  following  year,  1609,  Champlain  headed  an  expedition  of  Hurons  and  Algonquins 
against  the  Iroquois ;  and  it  is  in  the  narrative  of  this  expedition  that  he  makes  an  allusion 
to  Lake  George.  The  battle  fought  with  the  Iroquois  was  on  a  promontory,  marked  on 
Champlain's  map  as  being  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Fort  Ticonderoga,  and  its  scene  was 
quite  probably  on  that  very  spot.  This  location  corresponds  with  the  description  of  the 
locality : — "  at  the  point  of  a  Cape  which  juts  into  the  lake  on  the  west  side."*  It  was  "  in 
forty-three  degrees  and  some  minutes  latitude."     Perhaps  it  was  Crown  Point. 

Some  writers  have  maintained  that  the  place  where  this  battle  was  fought  was  in  Lake 
George,  and  that  it  was  to  the  smaller  lake,  and  not  to  the  larger,  that  Champlain  originally 
gave  his  name.  But  this  idea  is  not  only  contradicted  by  the  general  narrative  of  Cham- 
plain, in  which  he  gives  no  account  of  transporting  his  canoes  to  another  lake  and  back 
again,  but  it  is  refuted  by  Champlain's  map,  in  which  the  two  lakes  are  put  down,  with 
his  own  name  to  the  larger  one,  and  with  the  locality  of  the  bAttle  on  the  shore  of  the  same 
lake.  Moreover,  the  reference  in  Champlain's  narrative  to  Lake  George  does  not  authorize 
the  conclusion  that  the  battle  was  on  this  latter  lake.  Champlain  saw  Lake  George  "after- 
wards," but  not  on  the  occasion  of  his  first  expedition.  His  language  is  as  follows,  which 
wo  quot«  on  account  of  its  historical  interest,  this  being  the  first  description  ever  given  of 
Lake  George  and  its  vicinity : — "  I  saw  other  mountains  to  the  south,  not  less  high  than 
the  former ;  only  that  they  were  without  snow.  The  Indians  told  me  that  there  we  were 
to  go  to  meet  their  enemies,  and  that  they  were  thickly  inhabited,  and  that  we  must  pass 
by  a  waterfall,!  which  I  afterwards  saw,  and  thence  into  another  lake,  J  three  or  four 
leagues  long,  and,  having  arrived  at  its  head,  there  were  four  leagues  overland  to  be 
travelled  to  pass  to  a  river,  J  which  flows  towards  the  coa?  t  of  the  Almouchiquois,||  tending 
towards  that  of  the  Almouchiquois,  and  that  they  were  o  ily  two  days  going  there  in  their 
canoes,  as  I  understood  smce  from  prisoners  of  war  that  we  took,  who,  by  means  of  some 
Algonquin  interpreters  who  were  acquainted  with  the  Iro  luois  language,  conversed  freely 
with  me  about  all  they  had  noticed."^ 

It  was  doubtless  the  intention  of  Champlidn  and  his  Indians  to  pass  through  Lake  George 
into  the  Iroquois  country ;  but  the  Iroquois  warriors,  who  had  received  intelligence  of  the 
expedition  by  their  scouts,  went  forth  to  meet  their  enemies  and  intercept  them  before 
they  came  to  the  Mohawk  settlements.  Champlain  left  Montreal  in  the  latter  part  of 
April,  and  the  battle  was  not  fought  until  the  29th  of  July— which  gave  ample  time  for 
the  Iroquois  to  receive  intelligence  of  the  movements  of  their  enemies  and  to  advance 
against  them.  Champlain  "  afterward*"  saw  the  waterfall  and  Lake  George.  As  he  spent 
almost  the  whole  of  his  subsequent  life  in  Canada,  it  is  not  surprising  that  he  should  take 
a  future  opportunity  to  visit  "  the  waterfall"  and  the  "  smaller  lake  ;"  but  as  such  excur- 
sion may  not  have  been  on  public  business,  or  at  least  was  not  attended  with  any  results 
of  public  importance,  no  mention  is  made  of  it  in  his  public  reports  or  writings. 

The  first  use  of  fire-arms  in  the  State  of  New  York  was  in  this  battle  between  the  French 
Indians  and  the  Iroquois;  and  Champlain  himself  fired  the  first  gun  which  echoed  among 


•  Voyaftes  do  Champlain,  1. 198. 
t  The  Iliulson, 


f  Between  the  two  lakes. 
\  Indians  in  New  England. 


%  Lake  Of>orge. 
If  Voyngcs, :..  196. 


i^m&is^iif^f^gmmmstmmsiiimmmmmieiiki^^^^ 


39 


5  had  just  returned 
y  the  Sieur  du  Pont 
r  the  close  of  1G02, 
ince  as  far  as  Mon- 
rs,  spending  a  large 
rd  time  from  France 
and  his  companions 
onemcnts  erected  on 

'ons  and  Algonquins 
>e  makes  an  allusion 
lontory,  marked  on 
I,  and  its  scene  was 
le  description  of  the 
side."*  It  was  "in 
'n  Point. 

fought  was  in  Loke 
]hamplain  originally 
narrative  of  Chom- 
other  lake  and  back 
are  put  down,  with 
he  Bhorc  of  the  same 
;e  does  not  authorize 
Lake  George  "after- 
t  is  as  follows,  which 
ription  ever  given  of 
I,  not  less  high  than 
I  that  there  we  were 
i  that  wo  must  pass 
lake,  J  three  or  four 
gues  overland  to  be 
iouchiquois,||  tending 
)  going  there  in  their 
0,  by  means  of  some 
ige,  conversed  freely 

through  Lake  George 
jd  intelligence  of  the 
jtercept  them  before 
a  the  latter  part  of 
gave  ample  time  for 
nies  and  to  advance 
Jeorge.  As  he  spent 
g  that  he  should  take 
"  but  as  such  ezcur- 
ided  with  any  results 
)r  writings, 
e  between  the  French 
which  echoed  among 

ke  George, 
jynges, :..  19fi. 


I 

I 
s 

I 


the  mountains  of  the  lakes.  He  says,  "  When  I  saw  them  preparing  to  shoot  at  ns,  1 
raised  my  arquebus,  and,  aiming  directly  at  one  of  the  three  chiefs,  two  of  them  fell  to  tho 
ground  by  this  shot,  and  one  of  their  companions  received  a  wound  of  whicli  he  died 
afterwards."  The  Iroquois  soon  fled  from  tho  field,  astonished  ^t  weapons  which  made  so 
loud  a  noise  and  produced  eflfects  so  fatal.*  ^ 

One  of  the  consequences  of  Ciiamplain's  expedition  against  tho  Iroquois  was  to  make 
them,  forever  after,  the  violent  enemies  of  the  French.  This  was  especially  true  of  the 
Mohawks  and  Oneidas,  whoso  warriors  bore  the  brunt  of  the  battle  on  the  lake.  The 
Iroquois  soon  learned  tho  use  of  gunpowder  and  muskets  from  tho  Dutch  colonists  at 
Albany,  and  became  expert  marksmen.  It  is  possible  that  a  conciliatory  policy  on  tho 
part  of  Cliamplain,  such  as  was  attempted  by  hio  successors,  might  have  won  over  the 
Iroquois  to  the  French  interests. 

The  name  of  Ciiahplain  is  inseparably  connected  with  the  early  discoveries  and  coloniza- 
tion of  Canada.  As  the  founder  of  Quebec,-)-  and  the  leading  spirit  of  the  country  for  a 
quarter  of  a  century,  he  deserves  a  grateful  remembrance.  lie  died  on  Christmu:!  day, 
1085,  and  his  body  was  buried  at  Quebec,  in  the  humble  chapel  of  the  Recollets,  which  has 
since  been  succeeded  by  the  cathedral.  He  was  a  zealous  Roman  Catholic,  and  a  great 
patron  of  the  Jesuit  missionaries.  He  often  said  that  "  the  salvation  of  one  soul  was  of 
more  value  than  the  conquest  of  an  empire."  ,      ,   ^ 


NOTE  III.— Page  7. 


ISAAC   JOOUES. 


Isaac  Jogues  was  the  first  Jesuit  missionary  among  the  Iroquois.  He  was  born  in 
1C07,  ordained  priest  in  1636,  and  arrived  at  Quebec  on  July  2d  of  tho  same  year,  1636. 
Ho  immediately  proceeded  to  the  country  of  the  Hurons,  among  whom  he  laboured  near 
Green  Bay  for  five  years.  In  1641,  Charles  Raymbault  and  Isaac  Jogues  were  detached  to 
establish  a  mission  among  the  Chippewas  at  the  Falls  of  St.  Mary,  which  was  the  first  mis- 
sion on  the  western  soil  of  the  present  United  States.  J  The  missionaries  found  there  an 
assemblage  of  two  thousand  persons  who  had  never  seen  a  European  or  heard  a  word  of  the 
true  God.  Father  Jogues,  on  his  return  to  the  Hurons,  was  summoned  to  Quebec,  where  he 
remained  a  few  weeks,  and  then  set  out  again  for  the  Hurons.  His  party,  when  about  fifty 
miles  from  Quebec,  were  taken  prisoners  by  the  Iroquois,  who  were  laying  in  wait  for  them, 
and  they  were  carried  to  tho  Mohawk  settlements.  Three  of  the  Hurons  were  burned  to 
death ;  the  life  of  Father  Jogues  was  spared,  but  he  remained  prisoner  for  a  year,  and  his 
hands  were  mutilated  by  the  devices  of  Indian  torture.  In  1613  ho  embarked  for  Europe, 
ond  soon  returned  to  Canada,  having  obtained  from  the  pope  permission  to  celebrate  the 
mass  with  his  mutilated  hands,  in  consideration  of  the  martyrdom  ho  had  well  nigh  suffered. 

In  1645  a  treaty  of  peace  was  made  at  Three  Rivers  between  the  Iroquois  and  Hurons. 
During  the  succeeding  winter  the  French  witnessed  these  tribes  mingling  together  in  the 
chase — what  had  not  been  witnessed  before  since  the  colonization  of  Canada.  Father 
Jogues  was  commissioned,  in  the  following  spring,  to  visit  the  Mohawk  country,  with  pre- 

♦  A  translation  of  ChampIaln'R  first  expedition  against  the  Iroquois  iu  1609,  and  of  a  subsequent  expedition 
aftalnst  tho  OnondaKHS  and  Seneeas  In  1615  by  the  way  of  Uke  Ontario,  is  found  In  Doc.  Hist,  of  N.  Y.,  111.  3-24, 
with  Champlaln's  map  and  references.  On  the  map  h  a  locality,  near  Lake  George,  which  he  names  Saint 
Ongo. 

t  So  named  after  one  of  the  ancient  selgneurles  of  Normandy,  from  which  part  of  France,  and  from  Brittany, 
most  of  the  parlv  settlers  and  leading  men  came.— //«ioA.i-»ij'  Picturr.  nf  QuelfC. 

X  Ilistoire  de  Canada,  de  son  £glise,  et  de  ses  Missions.    Par  M.  L'Abbi  Brasseur  de  Bourbuurg,  1.  54. 


■i 


mi»'" 


.;jimsismm'&^^'^ 


1 


i 


40 

Bcnts  in  token  of  tlio  ratification  of  the  treaty.  It  was  while  on  this  journey  tliat  he 
rcnchotl  Lnlio  Andialarocle  or.  tlio  eve  of  tlio  Holy  Sncraracnt  or  Corpus  Christi,  imd  hence 
gave  it  the  name  of  ''St.  Sucremcnt,"  which  it  retuincd  for  more  than  a  century.  Father 
Jogues  reached  Fort  Orange  on  Juno  4th,  and  passed  on  to  the  Jlohawks,  where  he  was 
hospitably  recoivcd.  He  remained  among  the  Iroquois  about  a  fortnight,  and  reached 
Quebec  on  the  20tli  of  June. 

The  report  ho  made  to  his  superiors  induced  them  to  select  him  to  establish  a  mission 
among  the  Iroquois,  he  alone  understanding  their  dialect.  "Ibo  et  non  redibo"  were  his 
prophetic  words ;  "  1  shall  go  and  shall  not  return."  Setting  out  from  Quebec  on  the  27th 
of  September,  he  again  passed  through  the  lakes,  and  reached  tlie  Mohawk  village,  supposed 
to  be  Caughnawagn,  on  the  17th  of  October.  On  the  following  evening,  as  he  was  entering 
p,  cubin,  where  he  had  been  invited  to  sup,  on  Iroquois  struck  him  a  heavy  blow  on  the 
head  with  a  hatchet,  which  instantly  killed  him.  His  companion  suffered  the  same  fate. 
Their  heads  were  cut  off  and  exposed  on  the  palisades  of  the  village,  and  their  bodies  were 
thrown  into  the  Mohawk.  After  tlie  lapse  of  a  few  years  the  Iroquois  themselves  admired 
and  venerated  the  murdered  missionai-y  for  his  virtues  and  fortitude.* 

As  before  remarked,  Champlain,  and  not  Father  Jogues,  was  the  first  European  that  saw 
Lake  George.  It  is  not  certain,  however,  that  Champlain  over  traversed  it.  Fatlier  Jogues 
may  have  passed  over  the  lake  the  first  Ume  in  1C42,  when  he  was  carried  captive  by  the 
Iroquois  into  the  Mohawk  country,      ^r  , 


NOTE  IV.— Page  7. 

nOCTES   BETWEEN  THE  mOQUOIS  COUNTEY  AND  CANADA. 

The  French  expeditions  from  Canada  into  the  country  of  the  Iroquois  generally  passed 
through  Lake  Ontario  ;  but  in  attacking  the  Mohawks,  or  easterly  tribe.  Lake  Champlain 
was  used.     The  route  from  Fort  Orange  to  Canada  was  to  the  "carrying-place"  [Fort 
Edward]  on  the  Hudson,  and  thence  by  Wood  Creek,  or  by  Lake  George,  into  Lake  Cham- 
plain.    The  most  common  route  from  the  Mohawk  country  was  probably  through  Lake 
ocorge.    Champlain,  indeed,  expressly  states :— "  The  Indians  told  me  it  was  there  [to  the 
south]  that  we  were  to  go  to  meet  their  enemies,  *  *  *  and  that  we  must  pass  by  a 
waterfall,  *  *  *  and  thence  enter  another  Imk'e  three  or  four  leagues  long."     Champlain, 
on  his  map  published  in  1632,  marks  Lake  George  06,  with  this  reference :— "  Little  lake 
by  whicl-  we  go  to  Iroquois  after  passing  that  of  Champlain."     The  Iroquois  probably  took 
the  route  through  Lake  George  as  being  the  nearest  and  most  convenient,  and  for  military 
purposes  the  most  obscure.     In  the  treaty  between  the  Iroquois  and  the  French,  made  at 
Quebec  in  1600,  it  is  stipulated :—"  Also  that  trade  and  commerce  be  open  to  them  [the 
Iroquois]  with  New  France.,  by  the  Lake  dn  Saint  Sacrement,  with  the  assurance  on  their 
part  that  they  will  provide  in  their  country  a  sure  retreat  to  the  trading  merchants,  not 
only  by  preparing  dvbins  to  lodge  them  in,  but  also  by  assisting  to  erect  forts  to  shelter 
them  from  their  common  enemies."!    Lt.-Govcrnor  Colden,  in  his  Observations,  &c.  on 
the  Province  of  New  York,  printed  in  1738,  speaking  of  the  routes  between  Canada  and 
the  Hudson,  snys,  "From  the  eastern  branch  there  is  only  land-carriage  of  sixteen  miles  to 
the  Wood  Creek,  or  to  the  Lake  St.  Sacrament."^     So  that  even  from  Fort  Orange  the 
route  by  Lake  George  was  sometimes  taken. 
•  IIlBtoIro  de  Canada,  1. 50.    •'  U  premier  p»rml  les  Jfisultes  de  Canada,  U  avail  donn*  son  sang  pour  la  cans* 

delarfllglon."    Ibid.flO.  *tkm.,  i-l 


.,»^*==5StJ«««»S^^ 


n 


'  .^j.:l^iL.^^^^-'-^i:y^j. ..   ."- 


ourney  that  he 
iristi,  mid  henco 
iiitury.  Father 
s,  where  he  was 
ht,  and  reached 

ablish  a  mission 
redibo"  were  his 
ebec  on  tlio  27tli 
tillage,  supposed 
he  vas  entering 
javy  blow  on  the 
1  the  same  fate, 
heir  bodies  were 
imselves  admired 

iropean  that  saw 

Fatlier  Jogucs 

3d  captive  by  the 


generally  passed 
,  Lake  Champlain 
fing-place"  [Fort 

into  Lake  Cham- 
bly  through  Lake 
was  there  [to  the 
e  must  pass  by  a 
ng."  Chaniplain, 
cc : — "  Little  lake 
iiois  probably  took 
t,  and  for  military 
e  French,  made  at 
open  to  them  [the 
issurance  on  their 
ng  merchants,  not 
ect  forts  to  shelter 
jservations,  &c.  on 
twecn  Canada  and 
of  sixteen  miles  to 
1  Fort  Orange  the 

son  sang  pour  la  cans* 
lid.  iv.  173. 


f^^^ifgigjj^^ei^ifjjiSSIfmkil>Kff '' 


41 


NOTE  v.— Pago  8. 

ON   THE   nlVAL   CLAIMS   OP   GREAT   DBITAIX   AND   FRANCE   TO   TIFEIR    POSSESSIONS   IH 
AMERICA — ORIGIN    OF   TUB    OLD    FBENCII   WAR. 

The  subject  of  this  note  might  easily  be  expanded  into  a  long  discourse.  A  few  hints, 
however,  are  all  that  can  bo  attempted  in  illustration  of  the  origin  of  the  old  French  war. 
Wo  must  go  back  to  "  the  beginning." 

The  Englisli  claim  was  founded  upon  the  voyages  of  the  Cabot.s,  wiio  first  discovered  the 
continent  in  14'J7,  and  in  that  and  the  following  year  explored  its  coast  from  Labrador  to 
Albemarle  Sound.  The  patent  of  Sir  Walter  Ualeigh,  giving  jurisdiction  over  extensive 
regions  in  Virginia  and  Carolina,  dates  from  1584 ;  and  the  first  colonial  charter,  dated  in 
IGOO,  grants  to  certain  parties  the  soil  from  Capo  Fear  on  the  south  to  Halifax  on  the 
north,  or  from  the  thirty-fourth  to  the  forty-fifth  degree  of  latitude.  Charters  were  subse- 
quently granted  in  New  England,  New  York,  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  Maryland,  &c. 
These  charters  generally  gave  jurisdiction  indefinitely  to  the  West,  even  to  the  "South 

Sea." 

The  French  claim  was  founded  upon  the  voyages  of  Verazzani,  Cartier,  Champlain,  &c. ; 
and,  as  regards  the  West,  France  maintained  the  right  of  discovery  and  possession  of  the 
Mississippi  Valley  through  her  traders  and  military  expeditions,  the  great  La  Salle  having 
passed  down,  in  1682,  to  the  outlet  of  the  "Father  of  Waters." 

Thus  situated  as  to  original  jurisdiction,  neither  party  acknowledged  the  claims  of  the 
other,  and  the  questions  of  boundary  remained  unsettled  until  the  end  of  the  Old  French 
War.  The  sword  of  victory  then  cut  the  knot.  The  French,  in  support  of  their  claim, 
pointed  to  an  article  in  the  treaty  of  Ryswick,  in  1097,  between  England  and  France.  By 
that  treaty  all  lands  on  any  rivers  in  America,  tlie  mouths  or  outlets  wliercof  were  in  pos- 
session of  either  nation,  were  conceded  to  that  nation  as  high  as  the  first  sources  of  those 
rivers.  The  French  maintained  that  thix  article  gave  them  a  riglit  to  the  lands  north  and 
west  of  the  British  colonies,  from  Canada  along  the  lakes  to  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi ; 
but  a  concession  so  extensive  was  never  intended.  Sir  Wm.  Keith,  Governor  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, observed,  in  his  report  made  in  1718  to  the  Commissioners  of  Trade  and  Plantations, 
that  such  an  interpretation  was  inconsistent  with  the  ancient  grants  from  the  crown  and 
with  the  very  existence  of  the  colonies.  France,  however,  persevered  in  establishing  a 
line  of  forts  from  Montreal  through  the  Mississippi  Valley  to  Canada.  She  had  forts  • 
at  Frontenac,  Niagara,  Eric,  Venango,  at  the  junction  of  Monongahela  and  Alleghany, 
Detroit,  Kaskaskia,  mouth  of  AVabash,  Black  Islands  on  the  Ohio,  and  four  between  these 
islands  and  New  Orleans,  besides  Fort  Presentation  on  the  St.  Lawrence,  Fort  St.  Frederick 
at  Crown  Point,  and  forts  at  other  points  in  the  Northwest  and  on  tlie  northern  borders  of 
New  England  and  of  Nova  Scotia,  or  Acadia. 

Several  of  these  forts  were  built  in  express  violation  of  the  h-eaty  of  Utrecht,  in  1713. 
The  15th  article  of  that  treaty  declared  that  "the  subjects  of  Franco,  inhabitants  of  Canada 
and  elsev.'here,  shall  not  disturb  or  molest,  in  any  manner  whatever,  the  Five  Indian  Nations 
which  are  subject  to  Great  Britain,  nor  its  other  American  allies."*  This  article  acknow- 
ledges the  protectorate  of  Great  Britain  over  the  Iroquois  ;  and  the  latter  had,  indeed,  by 
solemn  treaties,  in  108.1,  and  again  at  Albany  in  1701,  and  subsequently  in  1720,  declared 
their  dependence  upon  Great  Britain,  and  the  latter  agreed  to  protect  tlio  Iroquois  in  all* 
their  rights  to  the  soil.  Notwithstanding  this  article  of  the  treaty,  Franco  seized  upon 
Niagara  and  established  a  fort  there  in  1720,  and  erected  another  at  Crown  Point  in  1731, 
and  another,  called  Fort  Presentation,  on  the  St.  Lawrence  in  1740. 

•  The  words  of  the  tro.ity  are  explicit ;— "  Quiivim  Xationu  siw  Cantonea  Indorum  Magnm  nrHtannia  Impend- 
Sul^Ktas."—Art.  jrr.  Treat!,  ./  Ulreclil. 


r 


:  I 

i 


JiJrMtl  ;3ii,1T»''"S«e"*fc 


f 


42 


The  treaty  of  Aix-la-Chapelle  was  framed  in  17-18.  Tlie  most  renowned  diplomatists  of 
Europe  engaged  iu  it,  but  settled  nothing.  England,  having  been  worsted  in  several  cam- 
paigns, was  ansious  to  obtain  peace.  The  public  sentiment  of  tlio  nation,  however,  was 
opposed  to  the  indefinite  and  humiliating  treaty  of  Aix-la-Chapelle.  The  boundaries  were 
all  loft  undetermined,  and  the  causes  of  contention  between  the  two  nations  continued,  so 
that  war  was  again  declared  in  1750.  In  the  mean  time,  however,  aggressive  measures 
were  planned  and  executed  by  both  nations,  and  the  several  campaigns  of  1765  took  place 
during  a  state  of  nominal  peace. 


NOTE  VI.— Page  9. 


-S- 


i'Si 


THE  ALBANY   CONVENTION — CONFERENCES  WITH   TUB  INDIANS — THE  PLAN  OP  UNION — 
REPRESENTATION   OF   PUBLIC   AFFAIRS. 

A  convention  of  delegates  from  the  colonies,  summoned  by  the  Lords  Commissioners  for 
Trade  and  the  Plantations,  met  at  Albany,  N.  Y.,  on  June  24th,  1754. 

I.  Conferences  with  the  Indians. — The  chief  object  of  the  convention  was  to  confer 
with  the  Iroquois  Indians,  and  to  conciliate  their  friendship  and  co-operation.  In  the 
approaching  crisis,  the  colonies  had  need  of  their  ancient  allies.  The  French,  with  their 
accustomed  address  and  perseverance,  had  caused  several  of  the  tribes  to  falter  in  their 
loyalty  to  the  provincial  cause,  and  a  lukewarmness  existed  among  the  Indians  in  general, 
which  threatened  serious  results.  The  principal  ground  of  discontent  was  the  indifference 
of  the  English  to  Indian  interests.  In  proof  of  the  general  apathy  of  the  Indians,  a 
comparatively  small  number  of  the  sachems  attended  the  conference.  All  the  tribes  of 
the  confederacy,  however,  were  represented,  and  among  the  Mohawk  sachems  was  Hen- 
DRICK,  himself  a  host. 

The  speeches  on  the  part  of  the  Indians,  especially  those  made  by  Hendrick,  were  fear- 
less and  eloquent.  After  several  days'  conferences,  the  Indians  went  home,  apparently  in 
good  spirits  and  with  revived  friendship.  The  covenant-chain  was  renewed,  and  the  Iro- 
quois were  conciliated  as  allies  to  the  colonies  in  the  approaching  contest.  Hendrick  took 
leave  of  the  commissioners,  saying,  "  We  beg  we  may  all  take  care  of  the  tree  of  friendship, 
and  preserve  it,  by  our  mutual  ottention,  from  any  injuries :  we  will  take  care  of  it  on  our 
Bide,  and  we  hope  our  brethren  will  do  so  on  theirs.  We  wish  this  tree  of  friendship  may 
grow  up  to  great  height." 

II.  The  Plan  of  Union. — Another  important  object  of  the  Albany  convention  was  to 
concert  measures  for  the  public  welfare.  The  most  remarkable  of  these  measures  was  the 
Plan  op  Union,  proposed  to  the  colonies  for  their  adoption.  Franklin  was  the  prime 
mover  of  the  scheme.  He  was  on  the  committee  appointed  to  digest  it,  and  made  the  final 
draught  submitted  to  the  colonies.  There  was  no  difference  of  opinion  in  the  convention 
on  the  importance  and  necessity  of  a  union  of  the  colonies  in  the  existing  emergency. 
Various  debates,  however,  occurred  on  the  specific  plans  to  form  the  basis  of  a  union. 
The  subject  was  before  the  convention  at  twelve  different  settions,  and  received  long  and 
animated  discussions. 

The  general  outlines  of  the  Plan  of  Union,  as  finally  adopted,  were, — 1.  A  Prcsident- 
Genernl,  to  be  appointed  and  supported  by  the  Crown.  2.  A  Grand  Council,  or  Congress, 
to  be  elected  every  three  years  by  the  Provincial  Assemblies,  of  which  no  Colony  should 
have  more  than  seven  or  less  than  two ;  the  Grand  Council  to  meet  once  every  year,  or 
oftener.  3.  The  assent  of  the. President-General  to  be  necessary  to  all  Acts  of  the  Grand 
Council,  and  it  is  his  duty  to  execute  the  laws.  4.  The  Grand  Council  to  have  power  to 
make  treaties  with  the  Indians,  to  purchase  lands  from  them  that  are  not  within  the 


I 


Ii.Vi^-■Sl*■i^SW^«i*;^ 


:  ,:i*„5:'3Jl*iiS^SgK*'«*lB.' 


diplomatists  of 
in  several  cara- 
II,  however,  was 
boundaries  were 
ns  continued,  so 
essive  measures 
1755  took  place 


N  OP  UNIOJI — 

>mniis8ioncrs  for 

on  was  to  confer 
eration.  In  the 
•ench,  with  their 
to  falter  in  their 
diaus  in  general, 
I  the  indifference 
r  the  Indians,  a 
All  the  tribes  of 
.chcroa  was  Hen- 

drick,  wore  fear- 
no,  apparently  in 
»ed,  and  the  Iro- 
Hcndrick  took 
ree  of  friendship, 
I  care  of  it  on  our 
if  friendship  may 

jonvention  was  to 
measures  was  the 
n  was  the  prime 
nd  made  the  final 
in  the  convention 
sting  emergency, 
basis  of  a  union, 
received  long  and 

— 1.  A  Prcsident- 
ncil,  or  Congress, 
no  Colony  should 
ice  every  year,  or 
Vets  of  the  Grand 
to  have  power  to 
'e  not  within  the 


43 

bounds  of  particular  Colonics,  to  raise  and  pay  soldiers,  build  forts  for  the  defence  of  any 
of  the  Colonics,  and  equip  vessels  to  guard  tlio  coast  and  protect  the  trade  on  the  ocean  ; 
and  fur  tiuso  purposes  shall  have  power  to  lay  and  levy  general  duties,  imposts,  or  taxes, 
as  sliall  appear  most  c(iual  and  just.  5.  Military  officers  to  bo  nomiiinfcd  by  President- 
General  and  approved  by  Grand  Council,  and  eiDtl  officers  to  bo  nominated  by  Grand 
Council  and  approved  by  Presi<lent-OencraI. 

This  plan  of  union  did  not  ultimately  receive  the  approbation  of  cither  the  crown  or  the 
colonics ;  the  former  drcoding  a  general  political  organization  as  involving  too  much  inde- 
pendence, and  the  latter  apprehending  danger  to  the  rights  of  individual  colonies,  or  diffi- 
culties from  tlie  great  power  of  tlic  president-general  as  an  officer  of  the  crown. 

III.  A  Rcpremitation  of  the  Affairs  of  the  Colonies  was  also  ordered  by  the  Albany  Con- 
vention, which  is  a  paper  of  great  interest.  It  was  drawn  up  by  the  same  committee  that 
prepared  the  Plan  of  Union,— probably  by  Franklin  himself  It  embodies  Franklin's  idea 
of  states  beyond  the  AUeghnnics  in  the  following  paragraph  :—"  Tiiat  the  bounds  of  those 
colonics  which  extend  to  the  South  Sea  [the  Pacific]  be  contracted  and  limited  by  the 
Allegliany  or  Appalachian  Mountains ;  nn<l  that  measures  be  taken  for  settling,  from  time  to 
time,  colonies  of  his  Majesty's  Protestant  subjects  westward  of  said  mountains,  in  con- 
yenient  cantons,  to  be  assigned  for  that  purpose." 

Thus  the  convention  at  Albany,  in  1754,  promulgated  the  two  great  ideas  of  American 
policy — a  cniteu  government  and  expanding  states. 


NOTE  VII.— Pago  10. 

THB  BRITISH  PLAN  OF  THE  CAMPAIGN  OF  1755, 

The  plan  of  the  campaign  of  1755,  arranged  by  the  Council  at  Alexandria,  was  un- 
doubtedly a  wise  one  in  the  general.  The  writer  of  the  "Review  of  the  Military  Operations 
in  North  America  from  1753  to  1756"  finds  fault  with  the  British  government  for  making 
Braddock's  expedition  to  the  Monongahela  the  most  prominent  of  the  three.  He  also 
objects  to  the  policy  of  sending  against  Crown  Point  an  expedition  composed  entirely  of 
the  provincial  militia.  The  greatest  number  of  regular  troops  from  France  were  stationed 
in  that  direction ;  and  it  was  well  known  that  Dieskau  had  recently  arrived  with  reinforce- 
ments. The  intelligent  reader  may  form  his  own  opinion  of  the  correctness  of  the  re- 
viewer's criticism. 

Another  point,  more  obnoxious  to  critici.;m,  was  the  route  Braddock  was  directed  to 
take  by  the  orders  he  received  in  England, — viz. :  from  Alexandria  to  Will's  Creek.  Even 
some  of  the  English  writers  maintain  that  Braddock  ought  to  have  started  on  his  expedi- 
tion from  Philadelphia,  because  this  route  was  the  nearest,  the  best,  and  more  accessible 
for  supplying  his  army  with  provisions.  There  is  some  truth  in  these  criticisms.  Virginia 
was  unable  to  perform  the  contracts  to  supply  the  army  either  with  provisions  or  horses 
and  wagons ;  and,  after  much  delay,  Braddock  was  obliged  to  look  to  Pennsylvania  for 
assistance.  Franklin  and  Morris  were  effectual  friends  in  time  of  need.  The  writer  in 
the  "Review,"  already  referred  to,  says  that  it  was  owing  to  "  misrepresentations  from 
Virginia"  that  Braddock's  troops  were  embarked  for  the  Potomac.  The  author  of  "The 
History  of  the  Lato  War,"  [John  Holt,]  published  in  London  in  1760,  states,  "It  is  said 
that  these  forces  wore  sent  to  Virginia  instead  of  Pennsylvania,  to  their  insuperable  dis- 
advantage, merely  to  answer  the  lucrative  views  of  a  friend  to  the  ministry,  to  whose 
share  the  remittances  would  then  fall  of  2J  per  cent,  profit.*    What  truth  there  is,  if  any, 

*  Rolfs  Uliitory,  V.  204. 


!it>..~«^:v;i^3.e««'. 


"■'='*«SL<«5irtteikiS(SU)C.feW>  : 


-»t=«.-^!>i;,(*Wi*jifei»S,'rv«:*H!vsh6ia^i'f.*K-;;.'-^^ 


S  i\ 


44 

in  thcso  roprcscntntions.  cannot  now  be  ascertained.  Nor  is  U  necessary  io  i«»P«'«';  »" 
orr  r  by  LLg  a  crime  to  the  indictment.  Mistakes  frequently  occur  m  war,  as  m  cml 
IL  It  was  quite  natural  for  the  authorities  in  Great  Britain,  who  1-e<=ted  the  am- 
Sn  to  suppose  that  the  .oute  taken  by  Washington  in  1753  was  a  good  one.  Mor  - 
0  r  t  was  thought  that  a  southern  route  would  enable  the  expedit.on  to  «tart  e  'er.  I 
mu,  bo  confessed,  however,  that  Draddock's  expedition  was  badly  managed  in  its  detai.8 
"lb  gnn  g  tend;  but  for  these  details  the  council  assembled  at  Alexandna  was  not 
rein  '  le.  The  pla^  of  operations  adopted  by  that  council  was  as  well  arranged  and 
^X:Lo  as  could  be  expected,  although  the  execution  came  so  far  short  of  the 

'■i;:\:.:roTc":quering  Canada  was  not  as  yet  developed.     The  campaign  of  1755  was 
a  loLiyo  one.    ll  object  was  simply  to  repel  the  encroachments  of  the  French. 


NOTE  VIII.— Page  12. 

THE   NAMB   OF   LAKE   OEOEOB. 

This  beautiful  Sheet  of  water  has  had  several  names;  and  a  proposal  has  been  lately 

made  to  adopt  still  another  one.  ,    , 

1    The  old  Iroguois  name  is  said  by  some  to  be  Andtataboctb,  or  '  there  the  lake  sm  s 
iJc  f    *     This  name  may.  perhaps,  refer  to  the  «.rf  of  the  lake  rather  than  to  ho  whole 
lak       The  French  may  b'ea;  this  interpretation,  and  the  translation  of  the  l"'!-  -m 
eems  to  require  it.     Others  affirm  that  the  proper  Indian  name  is  C^NA.nKUi-oiT,  or  <•  th 
X f  the  Ike,"  the  smaller  lake  being  a  sort  of  appendage  to  the  larger.     Nether  of 
these  names  gained  much  currency  among  the  English,  Dutch,  or  French. 

TZFrLk  name  of  the  lake  was  Saint  Sacu.mknt.  given  by  ^^tber  Jogues  in  com- 
memoration of  the  day  on  which  ho  arrived  at  its  northern  extremity,  which  was  on  the 
7ZtllLx  of  the  Holy  Sacrament,  or  Body  of  Christf    Mr.  Cooper,  in  his  famou 
novel   'The  Last  of  the  Mohicans."  states  that  the  name  St.  Sacrament  was  given  to  the 
Uke  on  account  of  the  purity  of  its  waters.     His  language  is:-."It«  waters  were  so 
Umpid  as  to  have  boon  JxcluJively  selected  by  the  Jesuit  missionaries  to  perform  typica 
purification  of  baptism,  and  to  obtain  for  it  the  title  of  lake  "duSa^nt  Sac-.cnL 
No  wonder  that,  with  this  artificial  and  complicated  derivation,  the  novehst,  in  h  s 
piflce    thinks  the  French  name  "too  complicated."    Its  origin,  howover,  was  m  s- 
c  nle    ;d^^  The  Roman  Catholics  frequently  connect  the  discovery  of  V^<^oes  .r^^  i^. 
fest  ^names  on  the  calendar.    Thus,  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence  was  so  c-vHed  by  Car- 
tie     wbo  discovered  it  on  St.  Lawrence's  day,  the  10th  of  August,  1535;  Lake  St.  Cla^ 
was  named  by  La  Salle,  who  discovered  it  on  St.  Clair's  day,  the  12tb  of  August,  16  9^ 
Sus  are,  one  of  the  old  French  fort.,  erected  on  the  river  Richelieu  in  16  4,  was  called 
fit  Loui«  because  it  was  commenced  the  week  of  the  celebration  of  the  festival  of  St. 
Lol    and  Fo^^^^^^^^  Frederick,  erected  at  Crown  Point  in  1731,  has  an  historicnl  connection 
t  rthat  fest  val  U  on  the  calendar.     The  far-fetched  conjecture  of  Mr.  Cooper  has  been 
Too  trustfuUy  Mowed  by  other  writers.    The  name  of  the  lake  has  no  typical  reference 

.  ..lU  «rriv.™nt.  la  veiUe  du  S.  Sacren.eBt,  «„  VK,„t  d„  Uc  ,ul  c,t  joint  au  g..nd  ^^ ^l^^^^'^^; ^^ 
IroquolB  le  nomment  Andlatarocte,  conune  qui  disolt  Id  ou  k  lac  ie  fcnne.     Le  P4re 
Bacremert."— iJeWtoriK,  1645-40.  /n.„„i.  of  nnmn    and  occuifl  on  the  Thursday  atter 

tte  iCIuch  name  is  not  accu^te.    It  ought  to  be  "  the  Lake  of  tte  Holy  Sacra.,cnt." 


-:.iafe&Jiasfe'«»ifBS-* 


!iW>g^'i^**l*ffia>.-?'^^^*MSaifta^ 


L 


io  impeach  on 
Tar,  as  in  civil 
Bctcd  the  cam- 
(1  one.  Moro- 
;art  earlier.  It 
d  in  its  details 
andria  was  not 
.  arranged  and 
ir  sUort  of  the 

gn  of  1766  was 
French. 


has  been  lately 

•e  the  lake  shuts 
lan  to  the  whole 
he  Indian  name 
Eui-oiT,  or  "the 
ger.     Neither  of 

r  Jogues  in  com- 
hich  was  on  the 
cr,  in  his  famous 
was  given  to  the 
waters  were  so 
)  perform  typical 
hint  Sacrement." 
novelist,  in  his 
wever,  was  mis- 
places with  the 
!0  called  by  Car- 
) ;  Lake  St.  Clair 
of  August,  1679. 
1CG4,  was  called 
he  festival  of  St. 
toricnl  connection 
.  Cooper  has  been 
typical  reference 

ic  de  ChamplaiD.  Leu 
)  nomma  le  Lac  du  S. 

m  the  Thursday  after 
lacrament  of  the  Holy 
SngUsh  translation  of 


ust*' 


45 


wliatover  to  baptism,  but  an  historical  one  to  the  "Blessed  Sacrament  of  the  Body  of 
Christ." 

3.  The  Englinh  name  is  Lake  Oeokoe,  given  by  General  Johnson  on  his  arrival,  with 
the  American  force.s,  at  its  southern  extremity.  "The  French  call  it  Lake  St.  Sacrament; 
but  I  have  given  it  the  name  of  Lake  0(  „v,"  says  the  old  veteran,  "not  only  in  honour 
to  his  Majesty,  but  to  atcertain  his  undoubted  dominion  htre."  Before  attempting  a  vindica- 
tion of  this  name  and  the  propriety  of  retaining  it,  let  us  notice  the  new  appellation  that 
has  been  proposed. 

4.  The  name  of  "  IIorican"  has  been  proposed  by  Mr.  Cooper,  the  distinguished  novelist, 
from  a  tribe  of  Indians  who  formerly  lived  somewhere  in  the  neiglibourhood.  The  follow- 
ing is  Cooper's  account,  in  his  Preface  of  1851  to  the  Mohicans : — "While  writing  this  book, 
fully  a  quarter  of  a  century  since,  it  occurred  to  us  that  the  French  name  of  tliis  lake  was 
too  complicated,  the  American  too  commonplace,  and  the  Indian  too  unpronounceable,  for 
cither  to  be  used  familiarlij  in  a  work  of  fiction.  Looking  over  an  ancient  mop,  it  was  ascer- 
toined  that  a  tribe  of  Indians,  called  '  Lcs  Horicans'  by  the  Frcncli,  existed  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  this  beautiful  sheet  of  water.  As  every  word  uttered  by  Natty  Bumppo  was 
not  to  be  received  as  rigid  truth,  we  took  the  liberty  of  putting  the  '  Horican'  into  his 
mouth  as  the  substitute  for  '  Lake  George.'  The  name  has  appeared  to  find  favour,  and, 
all  things  considered,  it  may  possibly  be  quite  as  well  to  let  it  stand,  instead  of  going  back 
to  the  '  House  of  Hanover'  for  the  appellation  of  our  finest  sheet  of  water." 

I  venture  to  make  a  few  remarks  in  opposition  to  this  suggestion.  Let  it  be  noted,  in 
the  first  place,  that  the  name  "  Horican,"  as  applied  to  the  lake,  is  fanciful,  and  not  his- 
torical. Mr.  Cooper,  wishing  to  get  some  Indian  name  for  his  novel,  hit  upon  that  of  a 
tribe  who  used  to  live  somewhere  to  the  east,  on  the  head-waters  of  the  Connecticut  River. 
The  proneness  of  fiction  to  sustain  fiction  is  seen  in  the  fact  that  some  writers  already 
interpret  "  Horican"  as  meaning  "pure  waters."  Mr.  Cooper  does  not  attempt  to  sustain 
his  fanciful  nomenclature  by  such  an  argument,  but  openly  acknowledges  that  ho  borrowed 
it  from  a  tribe  of  Indians  of  that  name.  Much  less  is  there  any  evidence  that  the  Indiana 
ever  called  the  lake  by  the  name  of  Horican.  Mr.  Cooper  did  not  so  understand  it.  And 
yet  it  is  getting  to  bo  a  common  saying  that  "  the  old  Indian  name  of  the  lake  was  Horican, 
and  it  was  so  called  on  account  of  the  pureneis  of  its  waters !"  Mr.  Cooper,  the  original 
author  of  the  proposed  change,  confesses  the  nan^e  to  be  a  fiction  of  his  own,  introduced 
to  serve  the  purposes  of  his  novel. 

The  old  name  of  "  Lake  George"  has  now  become  a  very  proper  one,  on  account  of  its 
historical  associations.  It  was  not  given  simply  in  honour  of  his  Majesty,  but  "  to  ascer- 
tain his  undoubted  dominion  here."  The  French  had  claimed  the  right  to  the  lake,  ond  were 
already  erecting  a  fortification  at  its  other  extremity.  General  Johnson,  in  defiance  of 
this  claim,  gave  to  the  lake  the  title  of  the  king,  whom  the  colonies  then  owned  as  their 
lawful  sovereign,  and  in  whose  name  they  had  sent  a  military  expedition  to  resist  the 
French.  It  was  a  loyal  and  a  spirited  act  on  the  part  of  the  American  commander  thus  to 
associate  King  George's  name  with  the  lake.  And  it  is  due  to  the  victory  achieved  in 
1755  to  retain  the  royal  name.  For  more  than  half  a  century,  Lake  George  was  known 
only  through  this  celebrated  victory ;  and  the  fame  of  the  lake  will  ever  be  associated  with 
the  memorable  action  on  its  shores.  That  battle  will  always  be  known  as  "  the  battle  of 
Lake  George;"  and  a  novelist  might  almost  as  well  attempt  to  Indianize  Bunker's  Hill  as 
change  the  old  name  of  the  lake,  immortalized  on  the  pages  of  history. 

The  idea  that,  as  we  have  renounced  subjection  to  kings,  the  names  belonging  to  the 
House  of  Hanover  are  inappropriate,  is  absurd.  Shall  we  change  the  names  of  Albany 
and  New  York,  because  they  remind  us  of  princes  of  the  royal  blood?  Such  names,  in- 
stead of  being  a  dishonour,  may  serve  to  remind  us  of  the  success  of  our  struggle  for 
independence.  They  are,  at  least,  honest  and  truthful  memorials  of  the  olden  time.  There 
may  indeed  bs  cases  whose  peculiar  circumstances  would  justify  a  new  noitenclature; 


P 


'igwsM«^BfeiaW^'«iwa^is«M 


46 


bat  the  prMcnt  case  is  not  one  of  these.  Politioklly,  the  colonies  prospered  under  George 
II.,  especially  during  the  administration  of  William  Pitt ;  under  which  this  lake  waH  (lie 
Boene  of  memorable  erents,  resulting  Anally  in  the  conquest  of  Canada.  Thoro  is,  there- 
fore, a  peculiar  historical  fitness  in  retairing  the  old  name. 

Besides  these  reasons,  changes  of  this  nature  introduce  confusion  into  popular  phraseo- 
logy, and  their  general  adoption  is  very  doubtful,  especially  when  historical  axsociations 
and  the  common  sentiment  of  the  masses  are  against  them.  Even  if  some  well-sounding 
Indiftti  name,  descriptive  of  the  lake  and  applied  to  it  by  the  Indians  themselves,  could 
be  found,  it  wnuM  scarcely  be  wise,  under  present  circumstances,  to  make  the  innovniion. 
But  to  take  up  with  Natty  liuroppo's  name  of  "Jlorican,"  which  does  not  claim  to  be 
"  rigid  truth,"  but  is  mere  fancy,  is  asking  more  than  the  yeomanry  of  Warren  county 
vill  be  likely  to  grant.  Let  the  good  old  familiar  name  of  "  Lake  Qeorge,"  famous  in 
historical  nnnals,  be  retained. 


NOTE  IX.— Page  18. 

MILITABT  TACTICS   OF  THB  TWO  COMMANDliRS. 

The  battle  of  Lake  Qeorge  invites  some  remarks  on  the  military  tactics  of  the  two  com- 
manders. 

The  Babon  dk  Diiskav,  bold  as  a  lion,  marches  into  the  enemy's  country  and  seeks  to 
terminate  the  campaign  by  a  series  of  active  aggressions.  Two  questions  arise  respecting 
his  tactics ;  first,  was  it  wise  to  advance  with  so  small  a  detachment  into  foreign  territory, 
and  upon  the  centre  of  the  operations  of  a  snpeiior  force  ?  and,  second,  was  it  wise  to  direct 
big  march  against  the  main  army  at  the  lake  rather  than  against  the  smaller  force  at  Fort 
£dward  ?  The  wisdom  of  entering  the  enemy's  territory,  under  the  circumstances  in  which 
Baron  Dieskan  engaged  in  the  enterprise,  is  somewhat  doubtful.  Ho  sallied  forth  in  ad- 
Tance  of  two  commanding  positions.  Ho  held  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point,  tiic  latter 
well  fortified,  with  a  considerable  body  of  troops  at  each  place,  and  from  neither  of  which 
it  is  at  all  likely  that  Johnson  could  have  dislodged  him.  If  he  could  have  surprised  the 
American  army  on  its  march  to  the  lake  through  the  forests,  he  might  have  been  successful. 
But  Johnson  bad  reached  the  lake  eleven  days  before,  and  had  selected  a  strong  position 
for  his  camp,  which  it  was  natural  to  suppose  would  be  fortified.  On  the  other  hand, 
Pieskau  did  not  set  out  from  Crown  Point  until  he  had  received  intelligence  that  the  Ame- 
rican army  had  encamped  on  the  lake,  leaving  the  "carrying-place"  unfortified,  with  a 
small  number  of  troops  only  for  its  defence.  "  Boldness  wins ;"  and  why  moy  not  Tort 
Edward  be  taken  ?  Dieskan  reaches  South  Bay  without  being  discovered,  hurries  on  to 
Fort  Edward,  and,  when  within  a  few  miles  of  it,  is  constrained  to  turn  aside.  The  expe- 
dition ^rovei  a  failure  in  the  outset.  But  it  embraced  other  objects,  and  these  were  much 
more  difficult  to  accomplish.  Dieskau  intended,  after  taking  the  fort,  to  advance  upon  the 
oamp,  or  else  to  push  on  to  Albany  without  delay,  devastate  it,  and  then  cut  off  Shirley's 
supplies,  or  perhaps  pursue  him  up  the  Mohawk  to  Oswego,  where  he  had  gone  on  his  way 
to  capture  Niagara.  A  wide  field  of  adventure  would  open  before  him,  presenting  various 
alternatives,  the  first  of  which,  doubtless,  was  to  attack  the  Americans  at  Lake  George. 
Was  his  little  army  strong  enough  for  all  these  risks  ?  Did  not  his  plans,  on  the  whole, 
partake  of  rashness,  as  well  as  boldness  ?  Like  Braddock,  he  was  probably  ensnared  by 
too  great  contempt  of  his  enemy.  If  Dieskau  had  remained  at  Crown  Point  or  Ticondcroga, 
Johnson  would,  in  all  probability,  have  been  deterred  from  advancing,  or,  if  he  had  advanced, 
would  have  been  beaten.  In  that  case,  all  three  of  the  American  expeditions  of  1755  would 
have  been  failures,  without  the  prestige  of  a  single  victory. 


--•i>eMlU3t«e4#4.&r£aHjM>M»-'^ 


J  under  George 
is  lake  vrnx  the 
rUoro  is,  thcre- 

opular  phrsneo- 
sul  axBociations 
0  wcll-souiuling 
lomBelves,  could 
the  iimovftiion. 
not  claim  to  be 
Warren  county 
irge,"  famous  in 


of  the  two  com- 

utry  and  seeks  to 
i  arise  respecting 
foreign  territory, 
t8  it  ■wise  to  direct 
lUer  force  at  Fort 
nstanoes  in  which 
allied  forth  in  ad- 
Point,  tlie  latter 
neither  of  which 
ave  surprised  the 
e  been  successful. 
I  a  strong  position 
1  the  other  hand, 
nee  that  the  Ame- 
iinfortified,  with  a 
why  may  not  Tort 
sred,  hurries  on  to 
aside.     The  expe- 
1  these  were  much 
)  advance  upon  the 
n  cut  off  Shirley's 
id  gone  on  his  way 
presenting  various 
a  at  Lake  George, 
lans,  on  the  whole, 
)bably  ensnared  by 
int  or  Ticonileroga, 
if  he  had  advanced, 
tions  of  1756  would 


llaving  resolved  to  attack  the  American  forces,  was  it  wise  in  Dicskau  to  proceed  against 
the  camp  rather  than  against  the  carrying-place  ?  The  actual  proceeding  was  against  the 
camp,  altiiough  the  intention  had  been  in  the  other  direction.  Circumstances  occurred  to 
require  a  reconsideration  of  his  plans.  The  alternative,  at  last,  was  to  marcli  for  the  camp 
or  to  go  back  to  his  boats.  His  troops  refused  to  attack  the  fort.  The  Indians  were  dis- 
heartened at  the  idea  of  encountering  artillery.  Having  unexpectedly  hcaril  that  the  big 
guns  wore  at  the  fort,  they  could  not  bo  induced  to  proceed  against  it,  but  declared  their 
alacrity  to  surprise  the  camp,  which  was  reported  to  be  as  yet  unfortified.  SilmiUJ  at  hi 
wat,  and  with  the  information  he poHtised,  it  will  probably  be  acknowledged  that  the  course 
Dioskau  adopted  was  the  one  a  military  character  would  be  likely  to  pursue.  He  marches 
for  the  lak«.  Ills  now  plan  requires  a  quick  movement  and  skilful  execution.  Success 
beatas  upon  his  banner.  He  puts  to  flight  the  American  detachment  of  the  raoniing. 
From  Gage's  Hill  he  catches  a  view  of  the  camp,  and  urges  on  his  men  to  its  attack.  But 
he  suddenly  halts.  He  is  put  to  the  severest  test  of  military  genius.  Ho  is  in  a  dilemma 
at  a  crisis.  His  Indians  and  Canadians  see  cannon,  and  skulk.  If  they  had  stood  by  the 
regulars  an'  joined  in  an  immediate  assault  on  the  camp,  it  might  have  been  carried.  But 
the  fortunes  of  war  were  now  against  Dieskau.  His  ignorance  of  the  enemy's  equipments 
and  resources  is  fatal ;  and  the  doy  is  lost.  General  Lyman  had  arrived  with  the  heavy 
artillery  only  five  days  before ;  and,  as  it  turned  out,  the  cannon  were  at  the  camp  and  not 
at  the  fort.  General  Johnson,  in  writing  a  few  days  ofter,  says,  in  reference  to  the  refusal 
of  the  Indians  to  attack  the  carrying-place: — "Very  happy  for  us;  for  he  would  have 
found  our  troops  there  separately  encamped  out  of  the  works,  and  no  cannon  there,  and  his 
victory  would  probobly  have  been  a  very  cheap  oi;ie,  and  made  way  for  another  here."* 
Dieskau  accomplished  quite  as  much  as  a  careful  calculation  of  probabilities  would  have 
wrought  out  for  an  expedition  so  difficult  and  dangerous.  Having  determined  upon  it,  his 
movements  !.  the  exigencies  which  compassed  him  may  have  been  the  best  within  his 
power.  But  ..ir  better  for  him  and  his  cause  if  ho  had  remained  at  his  own  fortified  post 
at  Crown  Point,  or  at  Ticonderoga,  instead  of  going  abroad  with  so  small  a  number  of 
regular  troops  in  search  of  adventures  of  war.  If  boldness  is  a  virtue,  prudence  is  a 
grace.  Dieskau,  in  setting  out  against  Fort  Edward,  ought  to  have  taken  with  him  at  least 
enough  regulars  to  capture  the  unfinished  works  there  weokly  garrisoned,  and  whether  with 
cannon  or  without  cannon.  His  plans  were  better  than  his  means  of  execution.  Losing 
Eort  Edward,  he  lost  all.  On  the  whole,  then,  Dieskau's  expedition,  so  far  as  it  was  un- 
dertaken against  Fort  Edward  in  its  unfinished  titate  and  weak  garrison,  may  stand  the 
test  of  a  critical  examination ;  but,  beyond  this,  the  vindication  of  his  expedition  has  serious 
diflJcultics,  and  perhaps  the  wisest  course,  and  the  one  which  a  more  cautious  general  would 
have  adopted,  was  to  strengthen  and  defend  the  posts  on  Lake  Champlain. 

Genf.kal  JonxRON,  by  his  own  confession,  left  his  rear  unprotected.  Fort  Edward  was 
not  only  the  base  of  his  operations,  but  was  the  door  of  entrance  into  the  province  of  New 
York  from  Canada ;  and  the  capture  of  that  position  would  both  have  cut  off  his  own  sup- 
plies and  have  given  the  enemy  access  to  all  the  northern  settlements  down  to  Albany. 
To  leave  such  a  position  in  his  rear  without  cannon,  with  unfinished  intrenchments,  with  a 
weak  garrison  "  encamping  out  of  the  works,"  and  offering  to  an  active  enemy  what  he 
himself  calls  "a  cheap  victory,"  and  one  likely  to  "make  way  for  another"  at  the  camp, 
is  the  commencement,  to  say  the  least,  of  an  unpromising  campaign.  Waiving,  however, 
further  criticism  on  this  part  of  General  Johnson's  tactics,  it  is  clear  that,  as  a  military 
man,  he  was  more  timid  and  less  enterprising  than  Dieskau.  Emergencies  did  not  rouse 
his  nature.  Twice  informed  by  scouts — first  in  the  evening  and  then  at  midnight — that  the 
enemy  were  advancing  from  Lake  Champlain,  he  did  not  call  a  council  of  war  until  the  next 

•  Colonial  Documents,  t1.  1014 


1    I 


**'  '***^'*^'i«f  aJMSstattowfffirw^^  amwawiiwgaai^ia^^ 


48 


morning.  II  In  first  information  wax  tlmt  tlio  Frcncli  were  on  tho  road  townrdi  Fort  Kd- 
ward,  and  would  iittncli  it  "  uitlicr  io-diiy  or  tliiM  nlK'it ;"  liii  lunt  iiifornmtii>n  tlmt  tlii'y  vrvro 
four  miioH  "  tliiM  Hide  of  tiiu  curryiiig-|iliico,"  or  nlmiit  one  niilo  from  tiio  |ir«Hi'iit  villHjtit  <>f 
Qlenn'M  FuIIn,  and  only  ten  or  eluvon  niiloa  from  tho  cnuip.  In  oitlier  event,  tlio  nvniliiit; 
out  of  tliu  morning  dutuchmuiit  wao  n  good  military  mciiMuro.  On  tlio  ftu|ipoHition  tlmt  tliu 
enemy  were  coming  towards  the  camp,  a  reeminausnnce  en  force  would  Hiipply  inrnniiu- 
tion,  impede  the  progrrsH  of  tho  enemy,  and  poHhibly  drive  him  hack  in  the  fuituiicH  o(  war. 
Ilut  thlH  wuK  not  tho  object  of  tho  American  detachment.  The  general  lui|>rcHtiioL',  nut- 
withstanding  tho  laMt  report  of  tho  scouts  at  midnight,  was  tliut  tho  French  dcnigncd  to 
atUtck  Fort  Kdward.  lience,  the  dostpatch  of  n  considerable  force  was  nilvlNahle,  according 
to  the  otSoial  account,  "in  order  to  catch  the  enemy  in  tlicir  retreat  from  tho  other  cump, 
either  as  victors  or  defeated  in  their  design."  Uoncral  Johnson's  measure,  therefore,  of 
Bending  out  the  detachment  of  the  morning,  was  a  military  noccnsity  ;  and,  however  incau- 
tiously tho  movement  was  conducted,  the  idea  itself  was  a  good  one. 

Other  parts  of  General  Johnson's  policy  cannot  bo  so  well  vindicated.  Tho  renson^ 
given  in  his  dexputchcs  for  hiw  inactivity  were  not  received  witli  favour  by  tlio  public.  All 
his  officers  advised  liini  to  pursue  tlio  enemy,  who  might  caitily  have  been  overtaken  before 
reaching  their  bouts  on  Lake  Clinmplain,  and  who,  if  pursued,  would  have  been  caught 
between  two  firos ;  for  tho  detachment  of  McQinnis  was  close  at  hand.  Tho  author  of 
tho  "Jicview  of  Military  Operationt"  is  quite  severe  on  this  port  of  Johnson's  conduct,  and 
quotes  passages  from  his  official  reports  in  proof  of  his  unreasonable  apprehensions  about 
a  renewal  of  tho  attack. 

But  Qencral  Johnson  is  chiefly  open  to  censure  in  not  rallying  all  tho  energies  and  re- 
sources of  his  army  in  pressing  on  to  Ticondcroga  and  Crown  I'oint.  Although  he  lost  the 
opportunity,  by  not  |iursuing  liis  enemies,  of  sailing  down  the  lake  in  their  own  b.itenux, 
he  might  have  hn^tcnod  in  season  tho  arrangements  for  his  own  boats,  [nf  wliich  one 
hundred  and  twenty,*  or  a  fifth  of  the  required  number,  wore  already  tranKportcd,]  if  tho 
groat  idea  of  the  expedition  had  been  deeply  and  enthusiastically  fixed  in  his  mind.  Hut 
it  was  not.  Tho  work  of  building  a  large  fort  seems  to  havo  supplanted  the  sical  of  mili- 
tary aggression.  Even  in  his  official  report  of  the  battle,  written  the  day  oftcr,  he  says : — 
•'  Tho  reinforcements  will  bo  with  us  in  a  few  days.  When  those /rc»A  iroopn  arrive,  I  shall 
immediately — ttt  about  building  a  fort!"  But  the  provincial  troops  had  not  left  tlieir  homes 
and  farms  to  build  forts.  Thoy  brought  their  muskets  and  not  spades,  artillery-wagons 
and  not  wheelbarrows.  The  result  of  Johnson's  fort-building  mania  was  not  only  to  thwart 
tho  design  of  his  expedition,  but  to  create  disaffection  among  his  officers  and  troops,  whoso 
spirit  was  "  bent  up  to  its  full  height,"  and  who  wanted  to  mnicli  against  tho  enemy.  A 
strong  consideration  in  extenuation  of  General  Johnson's  inactivity  was  the  wound  ho  had 
received  in  tho  battle,  and  which  disabled  him  from  self-denying  physical  service.  But 
the  objects  of  tho  campaign  would  have  been  furthered  if  ho  had  resigned  the  command  to 
General  Lyman,  rather  than  discourage  the  colonies  and  their  troops  by  an  uniiiiiltHiy  and 
unproductive  delay.  The  fort  might  have  been  built  at  any  other  time ;  but  then  was  tho 
opportunity  to  capture  Crown  Point,  or  ot  least  to  gain  possession*  of  'J'iconderoga.  No- 
thing but  tho  glory  of  tho  victory  hu  had  gained  screened  General  Johnson  from  a  serious 
examination  into  his  conduct. 

Tho  American  officers  ond  men  behaved  gallantly  at  tho  camp.  Dioskau  remarked  to 
General  Johnson,  "  In  the  morning  your  troops  fought  like  brave  boys,  at  noon  like  men, 
but  in  tho  afternoon  like  devils."  Tlio  last  comparison  probably  means,  in  military  lan- 
guage, like  heroes.  Tho  provincial  soldiers  from  Massachusetts,  Connecticut,  New  Hamp- 
shire, and  New  York,  contended  for  their  lives,  their  homes,  and  their  country.  Their 
maskcts  did  more  service  thon  tho  cannon.     Tho  "Review  of  Military  Operations"  states 

*  Colonial  Documonts,  vi.  1014. 


-,i55*-,»     ,,y,iUM%iSI3rPSL*i«©afc^K*fe>i^S« 


'  ^tagvJaifcVUitttfiNift''' 


rnriU  Fort  Ed- 
tlint  tlii>y  ■were 

HOIlt  villii^o  lif 
it,  tliu  HL'iiiiino; 
ihilinn  Hint  the 
ipply  Inl'iiriim- 
iitiiiit'H  (if  wiir. 
iijircasioL',  iiot- 
vh  (IcHi^nvd  to 
iiblv,  uucurding 
lio  (itlier  cuiiip, 
!,  tlierelore,  of 
liowuvcr  iuuau- 

Tlio  rensonii 
lio  iiiibltc.  All 
ft'i'tukuu  hct'uro 
e  boon  ctiught 
The  nutliur  uf 
'h  conduct,  and 
hcuHiuna  about 

norgicB  and  re- 
ugh  ho  lost  the 
r  own  bateaux, 

[iif  which  one 
spiirtod,]  if  tlio 
his  mind.  Hut 
liu  zeal  of  mili- 
ftor,  he  snys : — 
f  nrrive,  1  shall 
left  their  homes 
rtillory-wagons 
t  only  to  thwart 
d  troops,  wliobo 
the  enemy.  A 
3  wound  lie  had 
il  service.  But 
:hc  command  to 

unniiiitnry  and 
lut  ilieu  was  tho 
onderoga.  No- 
\  from  a  serious 

au  remarked  to 
,  noon  like  men, 
in  military  Inn- 
ut,  New  Hamp- 
jountry.  Their 
aerations"  states 


mtn^mm^issiismi 


49 

that  "  the  cannon  Wftsi  so  lll-goryod  and  so  highly  olovatod,  that  they  did,  beyond  all  contro- 
Torsy,  no  execution  at  all, — none  of  tlio  dead  being  obycrved  Ui  have  been  killeil  by  caiinun- 
ahot;  but  amongst  tho  tops  of  tho  trees,  thirty  and  forty  feet  high,  they  made  great  and 
useless  havoo."*  This  accouim  for  tho  fact  that  Dieskau'a  men  wore  able  lo  stand  their 
ground  for  so  long  a  time.  Tln'  few  pieces  of  cannon  brought  into  play  were  chictly  valu- 
able In  frightening  tho  Indians  and  irregulars,  and  perhaps  in  doing  some  execution  among 
them  in  tho  distance.  Oenoral  Johnson  hiniself  had  a  good  opinion  of  his  artillery  ullicer, 
whoso  skill  he  highly  commci. In  in  his  otticial  report;  and  a  gunner,  "  who  acts  under 
Captain  Eyres,"  writes,  in  a  \>  tier  from  the  camp,  that  "our  artillery  made  lanes,  stroct.-), 
and  alleys,  through  their  an:iy!"f  The  truth  probably  lies  somewhere  between  these 
violent  extremes.  No  doubt  tho  artillerymen  behaved  bravely,  "  hit  or  mias,"  and  united 
with  tho  infantry  in  sustaining  tho  character  of  the  army. 

On  the  whole,  both  the  French  and  American  armies  maintained  their  reputation  at  tho 
battle  of  Lake  Oeorgo.  The  tactics  of  tho  two  commanders,  though  open  to  exceptions, 
were  probably  eiiual  lo  tho  average  generalship  of  good  ofliccrs  in  times  of  emergency  and 
in  positions  remote  from  support.  Dieskau  wore  tho  laurels  of  tho  morning,  and  Johnson 
those  of  the  evening.  Both  commanders  sleep  in  soldiers'  graves.  In  all  criticisms  upon 
their  tactics  and  manoi^-ment,  they  should  receive  tho  respect  duo  to  patriotic,  well- 
meaning,  and  bravo  men,  who  did  good  service  in  tho  cause  of  their  respective  countries. 


NOTE  X.— rogo  19.      ' 

fl  A  E  0  N      D  B     D  I  K  8  K  A  U. 

Bahun  be  Dikskau  was  of  Saxon  extraction.  He  had  scrvod  in  tho  campaigns  of 
France  in  the  preceding  war  under  Marshal  Saxe,  and  was  present  at  tho  celebrated 
battle  of  Fontenoy,  in  1745.  Colonel  Babcock,  who  was  captain  of  a  company  engaged  in 
the  "bloody  morning  scout,"  writing  nearly  twenty  years  oftor,  says:— "Tho  very  enter- 
prising general  tho  baron  was  a  great  favourite  of  the  celebrated  Marshal  Saxe,  and  by 
him  strongly  recommended  to  the  French  king  as  one  of  tho  best  officers  of  his  rank  in  all 
his  Most  Christian  Majesty's  forces,  lie  was  colonel  of  a  regiment  of  infantry,  and,  at  the 
time  of  Marshal  Saxo's  death,  lieutenant-colonel  of  Saxe's  regiment  of  horse."  J  Tlie  bai-on 
sailed  from  France,  in  the  spring  of  1755,  with  Monsieur  do  Vauilreuil,  Governor-General 
of  Canada,  in  a  fleet  which  was  conveying  three  thousand  regular  soldiers  destined  for 
Canada  and  Nova  Scotia.  Of  these,  eight  companies  were  captured  in  the  Lys  and  Alcide 
by  British  men-of-war,  and  eight  hundred  men  wore  landed  at  Louisburg.  The  baron  and 
governor-general  had  a  narrow  escape,  a  fog  alone  preventing  the  captnro  of  tho  whole 
fleet. 

In  his  resolute  but  unsucoossful  expedition  into  Northern  New  Vork,  Dieskau  acted  upon 
his  maxim,  "  Bolducaa  wins."  It  finally  won  for  him  death.  His  bravery  mot  with  a  sad 
end.  It  is  reported  that,  when  ho  found  tbn  Canadians  and  Indians  unwilling  or  afraid  to 
support  his  attack  upon  the  camp,  ho  could  not  repress  his  indignation,  and  broke  out 
against  their  conduct  with  mournful  invective.     The  baron  was  wounded  in  the  leg  during 

*  ffevieto  of  the  Miliiary  OiMrratiom  from  1763  to  1756,  p.  OS,  note.  This  review,  whkh  i.s  in  Iho  form  of  "a 
letter  addressed  to  »  noblemnn  In  London,"  1757,  is  supposed  to  have  been  written  either  jointly  by  Oovernor 
Livingston,  CbiefJustlca  Wm.  Smith,  and  John  Morrin  Scott,  Esq.,  or  by  one  of  the  three,— probably  Wm. 
Smith,— In  consultation  with  the  others.  It  mnrto  %  great  senpation  in  Its  d.ty.  It  is  strmiijly  partisan  ia 
its  chnractur,  and  is  severe  upon  Lieutonant-Oovernor  Dolancey  andOeneral  Johnson.  Its  statements,  how- 
ever, de.surve  a  airel'ul  consideratiOD.     No  uue  replied  to  it. 

t  Colonial  Pocumonts,  vi.  1005.  .  tDoe.Hlat.  of   \.  Y.,  iv.  488. 


I   fi 


■-**;ja£fei,i«BBiij^^,ij^ya^»<sdssSiSife4!a 


8    ■     f 

:;i 


50 

the  engagement,  and  was  unable  to  retreat.  He  was  discovered  by  a  soldier,  reclining 
against  the  stump  of  a  tree.  While  in  the  act  of  putting  his  hand  into  bis  pocket  to  offer 
to  the  soldier  his  watch  as  a  reward  to  treat  him  kindly  and  spare  his  life,  the  provincial, 
mistaking  the  motion  for  a  search  after  a  pistol,  fired  his  musket,  and  severely  wounded 
him  in  both  hips.  At  this  moment  Lieutenant-Colonel  Pomeroy  came  up,  and  every  atten- 
tion was  paid  to  the  unfortunate  general.  Some  of  the  Mohawks,  exasperated  at  the  death 
of  Hendrick  and  of  so  many  of  their  companions,  gathered  around  him  with  fierce  clamours 
and  demanded  his  death.  But  a  guard  was  placed  around  him,  and  he  was  carried  on  a 
blanket,  with  great  care,  by  Borne  soldiers,  to  General  Johnson's  tent,  where  he  arrived  at 
six  o'clock  in  the  evening. 

Johnson  says,  in  his  report,  "  Monsieur  le  Baron  de  Dieskau,  the  French  general,  is 
badly  wounded  in  the  leg  and  through  both  his  hips,  and  the  surgeon  very  much  fears  his 
life.  He  is  an  elderly  gentleman,  an  experienced  officer,  and  a  man  of  high  consideration 
in  France."  General  Johnson  treated  the  baron  with  the  kindest  attentions.  On  the  16th 
of  September  he  sent  him  to  Albany  on  a  litter  as  far  as  the  carrying-place,  and  thence 
on  the  Hudson  in  a  bateau.  General  Johnson  also  lent  him  fifty  guineas,  or  ninety 
pounds  New  York  currency.  From  Albany  the  baron  was  sent  to  New  York.  On  the 
27th  of  November  Br.  Shuckborough  writes  from  New  York  to  General  Johnson:— "The 
Baron  Dieskau,  your  prisoner,  it  is  yet  doubtful  whether  he  will  recover.  Dr.  Mngraw 
does  not  continue  to  visit  him.  I  wish  it  were  in  my  power  to  help  him  also.  I  am  glad 
you  catch'd  him;  he  of  himself  is  a  good  prize.  We  take  him  to  be  a  most  consummate 
general.  It  is  said  he  was  executor  and  legatee  of  Marshal  Saxe,  and  a  great  favourite 
of  his.  He  is  a  man  of  some  estate,  besides  his  command  in  the  two  regiments  in  the  King 
of  France's  service."*  The  baron  never  recovered  from  his  wounds.  He  was  sent  to 
England,  where  he  lingered  more  than  a  year,  and  died,  I  think,  in  1757. 

Marshal  Saxe,  whose  name  occurs  several  times  in  connection  with  Baron  Dieskau' s, 
was  the  famous  French  general  who  gained  the  battle  of  Fontenoy  in  1746,  and  conducted 
the  several  campaigns  which  ended  in  the  peace  of  Aix-la-Chapelle.  As  a  reward  for  hia 
triumph  at  Fontenoy,  Louis  XV.  gave  him  the  palace  of  Chambord,  in  his  own  right,  and 
a  large  sum  of  money,  f  His  private  morals  partook  of  the  character  of  the  age ;  and  he 
died,  saying  to  his  physician,  Sdnec,  "Here  is  the  end  of  a  fine  dream!"  Saxe  was  a 
Lutheran.  On  hearing  of  his  death,  Maria  Leozinska,  the  Queen  of  France,  who  was  a 
zealous  Roman  Catholic,  uttered  a  somewhat  memorable  sentence.  "It  is  very  sad,"  she 
exclaimed,  "  that  we  cannot  say  a  single  De  ProfundU  for  this  general,  who  has  made  us 
sing  Te  Deum  so  mony  times."  Rochambeau,  who  records  the  anec(^.ote,t  adds  that  a 
grenadier  made  for  the  marshal,  in  1757,  a  much  more  energetic  funeral  oration.  In  pass- 
ing by  Strasburg,  he  drew  his  sword,  sharpened  it  on  Saxe's  tombstone,  and  marched 
proudly  away,  persuaded  that,  like  him,  he  would  triumph  over  every  foe.  Marshal  Saxe 
died  shortly  before  the  war ;  and  his  friend  and  companion,  the  brave  old  Dieskau,  did  not 
long  survive  him. 


NOTE  XI.— Page  19. 

)  1%  OABDEUB  SE  ST.  PIEBKB. 

The  family  of  Le  Gaedeue,  of  Normandy,  settled  in  Canada  about  the  year  1630. 
Among  a  list  of  FamiUa  Nobles  in  Canada,  1786,  the  first  family  is  Le  Oardeur,  the 
branches  of  which  are  Repentigny,  Courselle,  Tilly  de  Beauvais,  and  St.  Pierre ;  and 


*  Johnson's  uD^vi^ilshed  manuscripts. 


X  M«molres  HUttairas,  1.  60. 


t  lK)uls  XV.,  4o.,  par  Onfffigv:,  V\i, 


m^mssm^mi 


oldicr,  reclining 
s  pocket  to  offer 
,  the  provincial, 
jverely  wounded 
and  every  attcn- 
ited  at  the  death 
1  fierce  clamours 
was  carried  on  a 
ere  he  arrived  at 

:ench  general,  is 
y  much  foars  hia 
gh  consideration 
ns.  On  the  16th 
)lace,  and  thence 
ineas,  or  ninety 
w  York.  On  the 
Johnson:— "The 
er.  Dr.  Mngraw 
also.  I  am  glad 
nost  consummate 
a  great  favourite 
lents  in  the  King 
He  was  sent  to 

Baron  Dieskau's, 
16,  and  conducted 
3  a  reward  for  hia 
lis  own  right,  and 
'  the  age ;  and  he 
m!"  Saxe  was  a 
ranee,  who  was  a 
is  very  sad,"  she 
who  has  made  us 
:>t<s,X  adds  that  a 
oration.  In  pass- 
[>ne,  and  inarched 
e.  Marshal  Sase 
1  Dieskau,  did  not 


at  the  year  1630. 

Le  Gardeur,  the 

id  St.  Pierre ;  and 

I.,  par  Oaprfigv-.,  ?08. 


61 

hence  the  family  name  of  Le  Gardeur  de  St.  Pierre.  The  family  was  one  of  the  ancient 
Ciiiiadinn  families  of  distinction,  and  its  members  have  taken  a  prominent  part  in  all  the 
wars  of  France,  and  have  been  in  its  expeditions  from  Louisiana  to  Acadia  and  Newfound- 
land.* The  first  notice  I  find  in  our  Colonial  history  of  Le  Gardeur  de  St.  Pierre  is  from 
the  pen  of  George  Wasih.vqton,  who  met  him  at  Fort  Lo  Boeuf  in  1703,  then  commander 
of  tlio  French  posts  in  Western  Pennsylvania.  In  his  letter  to  Governor  Dinwiddle,  of  Vir- 
ginia, of  which  Washington  was  the  bearer,  he  says: — "As  to  the  summons  you  sent  me 
to  retire,  I  do  not  think  myself  obliged  to  obey  it.  Whatever  may  be  your  instructions, 
I  am  here  by  virtue  of  the  orders  of  my  general,  [the  .Marquis  du  Quesne,  Governor- 
General  of  Canada ;]  and  I  entreat  you,  sir,  not  to  doubt  one  moment  but  that  I  am 
determined  to  conform  myself  to  them  with  all  the  exactness  and  resolution  which  can  be 
expected  from  the  best  ofBccr."  Washington,  in  his  Journal,  states,  "  This  commander  is 
a  kniglit  of  the  military  order  of  St.  Louis,f  and  named  Le  Gardeur  do  St.  Pierre.  Ho  is 
an  elderly  gentleman,  and  has  much  the  air  of  a  soldier.  He  was  sent  over  to  take  the 
command  immediately  upon  the  death  of  the  late  general,  and  arrived  hero  about  seven 
doys  before  me.  *  *  *  Ho  told  me  that  the  country  belonged  to  them;  that  no 
Englishman  had  a  right  to  trade  upon  those  waters ;  and  that  he  had  orders  to  make 
every  person  prisoner  who  attempted  it  on  the  Ohio,  or  the  waters  of  it."  The  designs  of 
the  French,  as  indicated  by  Washington's  visit  to  Le  Gardeur  de  St.  Pierre,  led  to 
Washington's  expedition  to  the  great  Meadows  and  Fort  Necessity  in  1754,  and  to 
Braddock's  expedition  in  1755.  As  Braddock  was  defeated  on  the  9th  of  July,  Le  Gardeur 
de  St.  Pierre,  who  probably  retained  his  command  of  the  forts  of  that  region  and  assisted 
in  managing  the  campaign,  had  time  to  repair  to  Montreal,  and  was,  perhaps,  summoned 
there  to  consult  with  Dieskau.  At  any  rate,  there  he  is  found  at  the  head  of  a  large  body 
of  Indians  and  Canadians.  The  Indians  alone  mustered  from  800  to  1000,  which  was  the 
largest  body  collected  together  during  the  war.  St.  Pierre  was  the  most  useful  Canadian 
officer  in  the  French  army,  and  was  especially  influential  among  the  Indians,  with  whom 
he  was  skilful  in  making  treaties.  His  personal  presence,  as  described  by  Washington, 
was  winning  and  imposing.  He  is  said  to  have  lost  the  sight  of  one  of  his  eyes,  being 
called  by  a  writer  "the  famous  one-eyed  warrior." J  A  gunner,  writing  from  the  camp  on 
10th  September,  1756,  says,  "Their  Major-General  was  killed;  he  was  the  same  who 
commanded  at  Ohio ;  his  last  words  were,  '  Fight  on,  boys ;  this  is  Johnson,  not  Brad- 
dock.'  "I  He  ended  this  life  on  Sept.  8th,  1755,  near  the  spot  where  Colonel  Williams  fell 
in  the  morning 


NOTE  XII.— Page  20. 

SIB  WILLIAM   JOHNSON. 

Sir  William  Johnson  was  born  in  Ireland  in  1714.  He  was  the  nephew  of  Sir  Peter 
Warren,  the  admiral  who  distinguished  himself  at  Louisburg  in  1745,  and  who  married  the 
sister  of  James  Delancey,  Lieutenant-Q  jvernor  of  New  York.    Sir  Peter  Warren  scoured 

•  I  am  Indebted  for  the  above  Information  to  E.  B.  O'Cauaqhan,  M.D.,  of  Albany,  the  author  of  the  Bistory 
of  New  Nellierland,  and  superintendent  of  the  publication  of  the  Documentary  tlistory  of  New  York,  4  vols., 
and  its  OiUmial  Documents,  9  vols.  He  searched  several  works  In  culling  this  lnlbrm:>tiou— an  Illustration 
of  the  difficulty  of  procuring  minute  historical  details.    Dr.  O'Callagban's  sickness  prevented  furtlier  iesear^h. 

t  lu;".  Is  the  third  order  In  France,  and  was  instituted  by  I^uis  XIV.  in  1693,  iwing  designed  purely  for 
the  encour..gement  of  the  generals  and  officers  of  the  mmy.—RolVt  Uittory,  v.  100. 

X  Joseph  Whito,  Esii.,  in  an  address  at  WlUlams  College,  1853,  p.  20.  I  Colonial  Documents,  vL  1005. 


msaiMg^^i^^esmi&miiimmsiesiBm^eimi. 


gg'gatiawsswateBciBiKWJiaBaaiiai^^^ 


the  title  to  abont  15,000  acres  of  land  in  the  preaent  conntf  of  Montgomery,  lying  conti- 
guons  to  the  lands  of  the  Mohawk  Indians,  and  sent  to  Ireland  for  his  nephew,  then  about 
20  or  25,  to  take  care  of  the  estate.  The  young  man  improved  the  advantages  of  his 
position.  He  managed  his  trust  with  much  sagacity,  traded  with  the  Indians,  and  was 
thrifty  in  increasing  his  own  temporal  fortunes.  He  was  very  popular  with  the  Indians. 
This  arose  from  his  residence  among  them,  his  familiar  manners  and  associations,  his 
frequent  adoption  of  their  dress,  his  knowledge  of  their  language,  and  his  disposition  to 
promote  their  interests.  Unfortunately,  indeed,  ho  lived  on  such  free  and  easy  terms  with 
the  Indians  that  his  morals  derived  no  improvement  from  his  temptations.  The  natural 
traits  of  his  character  fitted  him  for  the  work  he  had  undertaken ;  and,  soon  commending 
himself  to  the  government,  he  was  appointed  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs.  He  was 
many  years  colonel  in  the  Albany  militia,  and  became  a  member  of  his  Majesty's  Council 
for  the  Province  of  Now  York.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Albany  Convention  in  1 754,  and 
took  a  prominent  part  in  arranging  the  negotiations  with  the  Indians.  He  was  appointed 
a  major-general  in  1755.  The  expedition  to  Crown  Point  was  confided  to  General 
Johnson.  Whatever  may  have  been  his  errors  in  the  management  of  that  expedition,  the  . 
viotory  gained  at  Lake  George  secured  for  him  great  dclat  and  a  substantial  remuneration. 
A  title  of  nobility  and  £5000  were  no  mean  additions  to  his  importance  and  resources. 
General  Johnson  was  present  at  Ticonderoga,  in  command  of  the  Indians,  in  the  unfor- 
tunate campaign  of  General  Abercrombio,  in  1758.  His  military  services  were  very 
considerable  throughout  the  whole  war.  By  the  death  of  Pridoaux,  he  succeeded  to  the 
command  of  the  western  brigade,  which  was  despatched,  in  1750,  to  capture  Niagara;  and 
his  success  in  taking  this  important  fortifiod  post  added  much  to  his  military  reputation. 
In  fact,  no  man  in  the  colonies  gr.ined  so  much  distinction  in  the  war,  or  derived  personally 
80  much  benefit  from  it,  as  Sir  William  Johnson. 

His  first  residence  was  at  the  mouth  of  the  Schoharie  Creek,  but  he  afterwards  erected, 
at  Fort  Johruon,  a  large  stone  mansion,  on  the  north  side  of  the  Mohawk,  and  on  the  west 
bank  of  a  small  creek,  about  three  miles  west  of  the  village  of  Amsterdam.  This  building 
was  a  noble  structure  for  its  day,  and  ffas  fortified  until  the  end  of  the  war.  It  is  still 
standing,  and  retains  its  old  name.  About  ten  years  before  his  death.  Sir  Willirm  Johnson 
erected  Johnson  Hall,  a  large  wooden  building  with  detached  stone  wings,  situated  one 
mile  west  from  the  village  of  Johnstown.     He  lived  in  comparative  affluence.* 

Sir  William  Johnson's  dream  contest  with  the  old  sachem  Hendrick  is  not  a  victory  that 
reflects  much  credit  upon  bis  moral  tactics.  The  following  account  of  it  is  taken  from 
Schoolcraft's  Notes  of  the  Iroquois.  Hendrick,  or  "  Soiengarahta,"  is  the  chief  who  granted 
to  General,  afterwards  Sir  William  Johnson,  the  "dream-land,"  as  it  was  significantly 
called.  At  an  entertainment  given  by  the  general,  which  lasted  several  days,  our  chief 
was  one  of  the  guests.  Johnson  had  recently  received  from  his  royal  master  several 
military  dresses,  resplendent  with  scarlet  and  gold,  which  were  temptingly  displayed  in 
view  of  the  guests.  One  morning,  before  the  close  of  the  entertainment,  Hendrick  told 
his  pale-faced  friend  and  patron  that  ho  had  had  a  dream  the  night  previous.  "  Indeed !" 
said  the  General ;  "and  what  did  ray  red  brother  dream  ?"  "  I  dreamt,"  replied  the  chief, 
"  that  you  presented  me  wl'h  one  of  those  dresses," — pointing  to  them.  "  You  shall  have 
it,"  was  the  prompt  response ;  and  in  a  few  moments  the  person  of  the  majestic  chief  was 
ensconced  in  the  splendid  uniform  he  had  coveted.  It  is  necessary,  in  this  connection,  to 
observe  that  one  of  the  prevailing  superstitions  of  the  Iroquois  was  an  implicit  faith  in 
dreams,  which,  they  said,  were  sent  for  wise  purposes  by  the  Great  Spirit,  and  that,  if  a 
dream  is  not  fulfilled,  at  whatever  hazard  or  sacrifice,  some  evil  may  fall  upon  the 
dreamer.  At  a  subsequent  entertainment,  given  by  General  Johnson,  Hendrick  waa 
invited,  as  before.    On  this  occasion  it  was  the  General's  turn  to  dream ;  he  dreamt,  or 

*8eeSlmm'8lUstory  of  Scbolurle  County  and  Border  Wan.  .^   ^  ,,^.  ^ 


''M^i^mimmimmm  jriimiimumttm'': 


■"> 


■,  lying  conti- 
[f ,  then  about 
intnges  of  his 
ians,  and  was 
n  the  Indians, 
ociations,  his 
dispoiiition  to 
^sy  terms  with 
Tho  natural 
I  commending 
irs.     He  was 
jcsty's  Council 
nin  1754,  and 
was  appointed 
ed  to  General 
expedition,  the  . 
remuneration, 
and  resources. 
,  in  the  unfor- 
ices  were  very 
iccceded  to  the 
•e  Niagara ;  and 
:ary  reputation. 
:ivcd  personally 

rwards  erected, 
and  on  the  west 
,  This  building 
war.  It  is  still 
Willii'm  Johnson 
gs,  situated  one 
ce.* 

ot  a  victory  that 
it  is  taken  from 
liicf  who  granted 
was  significantly 
I  days,  our  chief 
,1  master  several 
igly  displayed  in 
it,  Ilendrick  told 
ous.     "  Indeed !" 
replied  the  chief, 
"  You  shall  hayo 
najestic  chief  was 
Ms  connection,  to 
1  implicit  faith  in 
irit,  and  that,  if  a 
lay  fall  upon  the 
m,   Hendrick  was 
an ;  he  dreamt,  or 


53 


pretended  to  Hendrick  to  have  dreamt,  that  the  Iroquois  chief  had  made  him  a  present  of 
three  thousiuul  acres  of  land,  describing  its  locality.  Tho  chief  replied,  "  You  shall  havo 
it,  but  I  will  never  dream  with  you  again.  Your  dreams  are  too  hard  forme."  The 
conveyance  of  his  tract  of  land  afterwards  received  the  royal  sanction  or  confirmation,  and 
is,  at  the  present  day,  known  as  "  the  Royal  Grant."*  The  number  of  acres  is  repre- 
sented by  some  writers  as  much  greater,  f 

The  following  notice  of  Sir  William  Johnson,  taken  from  an  American  journal  of  tho 
day,  probably  gives  a  fair  insight  into  his  general  habits  and  mode  of  life :— "  Major- 
General  Johnson  (an  Irish  gentleman)  is  universally  esteemed  in  our  parts  for  the  part  lie 
sustains.  Besides  his  experience  and  skill  as  an  old  officer,  he  is  particularly  happy  in 
making  himself  beloved  by  all  sorts  of  people,  and  can  conform  to  all  company  and  con- 
versations. Ho  is  very  much  of  the  fine  gentleman  in  genteel  company.  But,  as  tho 
inhabitants  next  to  him  are  mostly  Dutch,  he  sits  down  with  them,  and  smokes  his 
tobacco,  drinks  flip,  and  talks  of  improvements,  bears,  and  beaver-skins.  Being  sur- 
rounded with  Indians,  he  speaks  several  of  their  languages  well,  and  has  always  some 
of  them  with  him.  His  house  is  a  safe  and  hospitable  retreat  for  them  from  the  enemy. 
He  takes  core  of  their  wives  and  children  when  they  go  out  on  particular  parties,  and 
even  wears  their  dress.  In  short,  by  his  honest  dealings  with  them  in  trade,  and  his 
courage,  which  has  often  been  successfully  tried  with  them,  and  his  courteous  behaviour, 
he  has  so  endeared  himself  to  them,  that  they  chose  him  one  of  their  chief  sachems  or 
princes,  and  esteem  him  as  their  common  father." 

Sir  William  Johnson  died  very  suddenly  on  tho  24th  of  June,  1774,  just  before  tho 
war  of  the  Revolution.  Many  persons  believe  that  he  poisoned  himself — especially  the  old 
settlrr.v  "ut  there  is  no  clear  evidence  of  the  fact.  His  mind  had  become  much 
perp'XL  .  'tV  the  threatening  state  of  political  affair.s.  After  his  death,  his  son,  Sir 
John  ill  !     oined  the  British  cause  against  the  Americans,  as  did  other  members 

of  the  I'  Sir  William  Johnson  was  buried  at  Johnstown,  in  a  vault  beneath  the 
Episcopal  church  erected  in  1772.  When  the  church  was  burnt  down,  the  site  was  so 
altered  ns  to  leave  the  vault  outside  the  walls.  The  estates  of  the  family  were  confis- 
cated in  consequence  of  the  part  they  took  in  the  Revolution. 


NOTE  XIII.— Pago  20. 

PniNEAS   LTHAN. 

Geneeal  Lyman  was  one  of  the  sons  of  New  England  who  are  ready  to  embark  in  any 
thing  for  their  own  interests  or  the  interests  of  their  country.  He  was  born  at  Sheffield, 
Connecticut,  and  was  graduated  at  Yale  College  in  17.18.  He  took  a  high  rank  at  the  bar, 
and  represented  at  times  the  legislature  of  his  State.  Just  before  the  French  war  he 
became  one  of  the  associates  in  the  Connecticut  company,  formed  to  buy  and  settle  lands 
on  the  Susquehanna.  In  1754,  he  octed  as  major-general  in  the  army,  and  led  the  van 
of  the  expedition  to  Crown  Point.  Stopping  at  the  "  great  carrying-place"  on  the  Hudson, 
he  commenced  building  a  fort  there  whilst  waiting  for  the  rest  of  the  army  to  come  up. 
This  fort  was  first  called  Fort  Lyman  ;  and  this  name  was  the  popular  title  for  some  time 

•  Notes  of  the  Iroquois,  p.  417. 

t  SImm's  History  (cives,  on  the  nuthnrlfy  of  Hmrij  Fny  Yattt,  the  numbor  of  acres  at  100,000.  Others  call 
It  "12  miles  square."  I  find  the  following  reference  to  the  Royal  Grant  In  Rer.  John  Taylor's  Missionary 
Tour  through  tho  Mohawk  and  niack  River  Countries  In  1802.  "Norway,  [In  Herkimer  county.l  The  Koyal 
(irant,  or  Sir  Wllllnm  .lofanson's  land,  Is  a  tolerably  gaoA  tract.  It  lies  between  the  Upper  and  Lowar  Canada 
Creeks.    It  is  high  land,  and  is  a  grating  country."— Ztoc.  ^u<.  JV.  l'.,  ill.  1U9. 


\\ 


04 


after  OeneralJohnson  had  changed  the  name  to  Fort  Edward  "in  honour  of  one  of  the 
princes  of  the  royal  blood."*  General  Lyninn  ninrchcd  from  Fort  Edward  to  Lake  Gcorgo 
with  the  heavy  artillery,  and  reached  the  lake  five  days  before  the  battle.  He  is  entitled 
to  more  reputation  for  important  sorvico  ia  the  battle  tliau  he  has  received.  General 
Johnson,  who  had  been  wounded  in  the  early  part  of  the  dny,  retired  to  liis  tent,  and  the 
eommand  devolved  upon  General  Lyman.  All  that  a  brave  and  intelligent  officer  could  do 
in  rallying  the  spirit  and  in  directing  the  movements  of  his  men  was  done ;  and  yet,  in 
General  Johnson's  official  report  of  the  action,  General  Lyman's  name  is  not  even  men- 
tioned.    Dr.  Dwight  exalts  Lyman  and  depreciates  Johnson. 

In  the  following  year,  General  Lyman  commanded  at  Fort  Edward.  The  sources  of 
information  within  my  reach  do  not  enable  me  to  give  any  other  details  of  General  Lyman's 
military  life  until  the  year  1762,  towards  the  close  of  the  war,  when  ho  commanded  about 
twenty-five  hundred  provincial  troops  sent  to  reinforce  the  British  fleet  in  the  expedi- 
tion against  Havana.  Israel  Putnam  was  lieutenant-colonel.  General  Lyman's  troops 
assisted  in  the  storming  of  the  oastlo  El  Mora,  whose  capture  led  to  the  fall  of  Havana. 
After  the  peace,  General  Lyman  was  commissioned  by  his  brother  officers  to  receive  the 
prize-money  gained  in  the  expedition ;  and  he  repaired  to  England  for  that  purpose.  He 
was  also  charged  by  a  company  in  the  colonies,  called  "Military  Adventurers,"  to  solicit 
from  the  crown  a  grant  of  land  on  the  Missis:  ippi.  After  a  delay  of  several  years,  during 
which  time  General  Lyman  became  disheartened  and  mentally  deprisscd,  ho  was  finally 
successful  in  obtaining  a  grant.  On  his  return  to  America,  ho  was  accompanied  by  Colo- 
nel Putnam  and  a  few  others  on  a  tour  to  the  Great  West  by  the  way  of  New  Orleans,  and 
np  the  Mississippi  to  the  neighbourhood  of  Natchez.  After  locating  their  lands,  they 
went  back  to  the  "land  of  steady  habits,"  for  the  purpose  of  encouraging  emigration  to 
the  sunny  Southwest.  General  Lyman  returned  the  following  year,  and  made  some  pro- 
gress in  "forming  an  establishment  at  Natchez,  where  he  remained  till  his  death. "f 


NOTE  XIV.— Page  21. 


GPIIRAIH   WILLIAMS. 

Ephhaim  Williams  was  descended  from  the  best  Puritan  ancestry.  Ho  was  always 
enterprising.  Having  lost  his  parents  early  in  life,  he  was  brought  up  by  his  grandfather, 
Abraham  Jackson.  In  his  youth,  he  made  several  voyages  to  Europe,  visiting  Engl.ind, 
Spain,  and  Holland,  probably  for  commercial  purposes.  In  1744,  he  was  made  captain 
and  put  in  command  of  Fort  Massachusetts,  in  the  western  part  of  the  province,  in  the 
valley  of  the  Hoosio.  After  the  war,  ho  had  an  important  agency  in  settling  that  section 
of  country.  At  the  beginning  of  tho  campaign  of  1755,  he  was  made  colonel,  and  com- 
manded the  third  Massachusetts  regiment.  His  aide  was  William  Williams,  a  signer  of  the 
Declaration  of  Independence. 

Colonel  Williams,  being  well  versed  in  warfare,  especially  with  the  Indians,  was  placed 
at  the  head  of  the  detachment  sent  out  against  Dieskou's  column.  The  particulars  of  tiiis 
expedition  are  given  in  the  discourse.  His  great  error  on  that  day  was  in  not  sending  out 
scouts.    Colonel  Williams  was  early  struck  with  a  ball  through  the  head,  and  fell  dead  on 

*  Itlg  Royal  Illghneu,  Prince  Edward,  became  Duke  of  York  In  1758.  In  ihat  year  he  attended,  as  Tolan- 
tser,  the  naval  expedition  under  Lord  Howe,  fitted  oat  ibr  the  rapture  of  Cherburg.  Many  volunteem  of 
bigh  extraction  accompanied  the  expedition  In  order  to  counteract  the  aversion  growing  out  of  the  conduct 
of  the  late  commandem.  The  expedition  was  aucresuful.  Trlnce  Kdward  anerwards  came  near  being  taken 
prisoner  rrhlls  reconnoiterlng  near  St.  Malo.    He  was  a  personage  of  some  distinction. 

t  See  Life  of  Israel  Putnam,  by  William  Cutter. 


f  one  of  tho 
Lnko  Gcoigo 
[c  i»  cntittod 
Dil.  General 
tent,  and  tho 
iccr  could  do 
;  and  yet,  in 
3t  evou  mon- 

le  sources  of 
icral  Lyman's 
Handed  about 
1  the  expedi- 
rman's  troops 
tU  of  Havana, 
to  receive  tho 
purpose.  lie 
ers,"  to  solicit 

years,  during 
ho  was  finally 
anied  by  Colo- 
n  Orleans,  and 
lir  lands,  they 

emigration  to 
lade  some  pro- 
death."t 


55 


the  spot.  Two  of  his  companions  immediately  concealed  the  body  from  tho  scalping-knifo 
of  tho  advancing  Indians,  llis  body  was  found  after  the  battle,  unniutilatod,  and  it  was 
buried  some  fifteen  or  twenty  rods  southeast  of  where  ho  foil,  at  tlio  foot  of  "a  huge 
pino  bi'side  tho  military  road."  About  twenty  years  ago,  his  nepliow,  Dr.  William  H. 
'Williams,  of  Raleigh,  North  Carolino,  "disinterred  and  carried  off  tho  slcuH."  The 
ancient  pine  has  fallen,  but  the  stump  remains.  Two  smaller  trees  have  sprung  from  the 
parent  stock,  and  still  shade  tho  place  of  burial.  E.  W.  B.  Canning,  Esq.,  wlio  superin- 
tended the  erection  of  tho  monument  on  the  part  of  the  alumni  of  the  college,  and  who 
explored  tho  ground  carefully,  says,  "Directed  by  an  aged  man,  who  dug '  i  the  skull,  I 
found  the  grave,  and  had  it  refilled,  and  a  largo  pyramidal  boulder  sot  over  it,  witli  the 
inscription  E.  W.  1755." 

The  rock  on  which  Colonel  Williams  fell  is  now  surmounted  by  a  marble  monument, 
twelve  feet  high.  Tho  earth  has  been  excavated  a  little  around  tho  rock,  so  that  the  top 
of  the  rock  is  now  seven  feet  from  the  ground.  Tlie  monument  was  erected  by  the  alumni 
of  Williams  College  in  1854,  and  is  an  appropriate,  tasteful,  and  worthy  memorial.  It  is 
surrounded  by  a  good  iron  fence,  wliich  visitors  find  the  means  of  climbing.  The  writer, 
without  recommending  others  to  follow  liis  example,  went  up  to  the  monument  for  the  pur- 
pose of  copying  the  intcription;  and  as  ho  now  gives  tho  inscriptions,  verbatim  et  literatim, 
this  historical  motive  cannot  bo  so  well  plead  hereafter.  The  inscriptions  were  copied 
exactly  according  to  tho  words  in  the  lines,  and  tho  division  of  syllables,  os  cut  upon  the 
marble,  but  they  are  here  given  continuously,  partly  to  save  space,  and  partly  to  avoid  the 
exhibition  of  an  unskilful  performance,  for  the  words  and  syllables  are  arranged  (at  leost 
on  two  sides  of  the  monument)  in  not  the  most  tasteful  style.  This  is  a  matter  of  regret. 
I  notice  it  simply  to  put  the  Lake  George  "Committee  of  Monuments"  upon  their  guard, 
And  to  induce  them  to  see  that  tho  stonecutter  has  a  fac-simile  of  the  work  to  be  done. 
The  beauty  of  a  monumental  inscription  depends  very  much  on  the  arrangement  of  the 
lines  and  of  the  words. 


I 

^1 


He  was  always 
llis  grandfather, 
isiting  England, 
s  made  captain 
province,  in  the 
ling  that  section 
olonel,  and  com- 
3,  a  signer  of  the 

ians,  was  placed 

articulars  of  this 

1  not  sending  out 

and  fell  dead  on 

I  attendod,  «s  volun- 
Msny  Tolunteem  of 
g  out  of  the  conduct 
,m<>  near  twlog  taken 


The  following  inscription  is  on  the  eait  side  of  the  monument,  towards  the  plank  road : — 
To  the  memory  of  Colonel  Ephhaim  Williams.     A  native  of  Newton,  Mass.,  who 
«fter  gallantly  defending  the  frontiers  of  his  native  State,  served  under  General  John- 
son against  tho  French  and  Indians,  and  nobly  fell  near  this  spot  in  tlio  bloody  conflict 
of  Sept.  8th,  1755,  in  the  42,  year  of  his  age. 

On  the  north  side,  towards  the  lake : — 

A  lover  of  puace  and  learning,  as  courteous  and  generous  as  he  was  brave  and  patriotic. 
Col.  Williams  sympatliizod  deeply  with  tho  privations  of  tho  frontier  settlers,  and  by  his 
will,  made  at  Albany  on  his  way  to  the  field  of  battle,  provided  for  tho  founding  among 
them  of  an  institution  of  learning,  which  has  since  been  chartered  as  Williams  College. 

On  the  viett  side,  towards  the  old  road  : — 

Forti  ac  magnanimo  EPII.  WILLIAMS,  Collegii  Oulielmi  Conditori ;  Qui  in  hostibtia 
patriiB  repollendis,  propo  hoe  saxum  croidit;  grati  alumni  posuerunt,  a.  d.  1854. 

On  tho  touth  side,  towards  the  toll-gate : — 

This  monument  is  erected  by  the  alumni  of  Williams  College :  tho  ground  donated  by 
£.  U.  IIOSBKUANS,  M.  W.  Pgbbine,  J.  IIavilani). 

Tho  monument  makes  a  beautiful  appearance  from  the  road,  and  is  looked  for  and 
admired  by  oil  travellers.  The  monument  is  more  accessible  from  the  old  road  than  from 
the  new ;  but  the  old  road  is  not  in  very  good  condition,  although  it  can  be  used. 


IWBijTMlCaWIIBrtlMI 


■!IHRBf!alH!t«>tlE!«Wxe 


56 

Joseph  Wiiitk,  Esq.,*  tlius  suras  up  the  traits  of  Colonel  Willifims'  cliavactcr :— "  For 
•whatever  is  known  of  his  opinions,  as  well  ns  of  his  personal  appearance,  hal)itH,  and 
tnainers,  wo  are  indebted  to  the  impressions  ho  made  upon  his  contemporaries,  as  revealed 
in  the  scanty  notices  of  the  times  and  in  the  few  traditions  which  yet  linger  amongst  us." 
From  these  wo  learn  that  his  "person  was  largo  and  fleshy,"  his  countenance  benignant, 
and  his  appearance  commanding ;  that  ho  loved  and  excelled  ia  the  rough  games  and  feats 
of  agility  and  strength  ss  common  in  his  day,  and  often  engaged  in  them  with  his  soldiers 
during  the  intervals  of  duty ;  that  his  "  address  was  easy,  his  manners  simple  and  con- 
ciliating;" that  he  loved  books,  and  the  society  of  literary  men,  "and  often  lamented  the 
W,.nt  of  a  liberal  education ;"  that  to  these  endowments  were  added  the  higher  qualities 
of  mind— quick  and  clear  perceptions,  a  solid  judgment,  a  lofty  courage,  and  an  unwaver- 
ing constancy  in  scenes  of  danger,  and  that  military  genius  which  needed  only  a  fitting 
opportunity  to  place  him  in  the  highest  walks  of  his  profession.  JIo  knew  both  how  to 
command  and  to  conciliate  the  affections  of  his  men.  "  He  was  greatly  beloved  by  them 
when  living,  and  lamented  when  dead."  And,  finally,  in  the  language  of  Colonel  Worth- 
ington,  who  knew  him  well,  "  Humanity  made  a  most  striking  trait  in  his  character,  and 
universal  benevolence  was  his  ruling  passion."  He  truly  adds,  "  His  memory  will  always 
be  dear." 


NOTE  XV.— Pago  22. 

EENDBICK,    THE    MOHAWK    SACHEM. 

The  following  particulars  of  the  life  of  Hendrick  are  taken  from  Schoolcraft's  Notes  of 
the  Iroquois : — 

«'  The  great  Mohawk  sachem  fought  against  the  French  at  first  as  a  youthful  scout,  and 
afterwards  as  an  approved  war-captain.  There  was  a  time  in  our  settlements  when  there 
was  a  moral  force  in  the  name  of  King  Hendrick  and  his  Mohawks,  which  had  an  electric 
effect;  and,  at  the  time  he  died,  his  loss  was  widely  and  deeply  felt  and  lamented  even  in 
Great  Britain.  The  precise  time  of  Hendrick's  birth  cannot  be  ascertained ;  but  several 
circumstances  conspire  to  induce  the  belief  that  it  took  place  some  time  between  the  yeors 
1680  and  1G90.  It  is  said  that  he  on  two  occasions  visited  his  British  sovereign.  On  ono 
of  these  occasions,  doubtless  the  last,  which  is  conjectured  to  have  been  about  the  year 
1740,  his  Majesty  presented  him  a  rich  suit  of  clothes,— a  green  coat,  set  off  with  Brussels 
and  gold  lace,  and  a  cocked  hat,  such  as  was  worn  by  the  court  gentry  of  that  period.  In 
these  he  sat  for  his  portrait,  which  was  executed  by  a  London  artist.  From  this  portrait, 
which  has  no  date,  engravings  were  made,  of  a  large  cabinet-size,  and  coloured  in  con- 
formity with  the  original.  I  saw  ono  of  these  engranngs  in  the  family  of  a  relative  in 
Schenectady,  which  has,  however,  been  long  since  destroyed  by  fire ;  and  recently  I  have 
seen  another,  which  had  been,  for  nearly  a  century,  the  property  of  Jeremiah  Lansing,  Esq., 
of  Albany,  N.  Y.  The  prosopological  indicia  of  his  countenance  denote  a  kind  disposi- 
tion, honesty  of  purpose,  and  an  order  of  intellect  much  above  mediocrity.  Altliough 
his  complexion  was  the  '  shadowed  livery  of  the  burning  sun,'  his  figure  and  countenance 
were  singularly  prepossessing  and  commanding.  The  concurrent  testimony  of  every  tra- 
ditionist  awards  to  him  great  natural  talents,  judgment,  ahd  sagacity.  As  a  diplomatist 
and  orator  lie  was  greatly  distinguished,  and  divided  the  palm  only  with  his  brother 
Abraham,  of  pious  memory,  who  was  exclusively  devoted  to  civil  pursuits.     Hendrick's 

*  .Joseph  White,  Ksq's.,  address  before  the  alumni  of  Williams  College,  1855,  commemorative  of  EpnitAlM 
WaiJAMS,  abounds  in  historical  Incident  and  eloquent  description.  I  am  indebted  to  this  address  for  the 
biograpblcal  hints  of  Colonel  Williams  in  the  beginntng  of  this  note,  and  also  Jbr  other  items  of  Information. 


*j«WI»^^SI^«e»W«S«*^**i«*!**sS*^ 


57 


^ 


jtcr:— "For 
ha1)itH,  and 
,  an  rovcalod 
imongst  us." 
e  benignant, 
les  and  foais 
I  liis  soldiers 
pic  and  con- 
lamcntcd  tho 
;hcr  qualities 
an  unwavor- 
only  a  fitting 
both  how  to 
)ved  by  them 
ilonel  Worth- 
laracter,  and 
y  will  always 


greatest  speech  was  delivered  on  tho  2il  July,  1751,  'in  the  name  and  behalf  of  the  Six 
Nations,'  in  answer  to  a  speech  made  by  the  Lieutcniint-Oovernor  of  New  Vork,  'in  the 
name  of  tho  King  of  Great  Itritain,  and  in  tho  namo  and  in  bohalt'  of  the  American  c(do- 
nies,'  which  were  all  represented  on  tho  occasion.  This  spcocli,  with  several  others,  is 
reported  at  full  length  in  the  London  Gentlemen's  Magazine,  tho  editor  wliereof  siieaks  of 
these  speeches  in  tho  following  terms: — 'They  contain  strains  of  clonuenco  which  might 
Jiavo  done  honour  to  TuUy  or  Demosthenes.'  Tho  speeches  of  Ilemlrick  and  his  brother 
Abraham,  made  tho  same  day  above  named,  in  the  name  and  behalf  of  the  Mohawks  of 
the  Upper  Castle  (Canajoharie)  to  the  Governor  of  New  York,  attended  by  several  sachems 
of  tho  other  (six)  nations,  weio  also  evincive  of  much  talent  and  elonuencc.  The  jour- 
nalists of  tho  day  paid  our  chief  the  following  high  compliment,  which  I  have  every 
reason  to  believe  wos  not  'tides'" '  or  exaggerated  praise  : — '  For  capacity,  bravery, 
■vigour  of  mind,  and  imm         ie  ..  'v,  combined,  he  excelled  a     .;       boiiginal  inha- 

bitants of  which  wo  have  .....y  knu  ^e.'  Ilendrick  wan,  in  h.  la/,  estecm"d  tho 
bravest  of  the  bravo  among  tho  Iroquois.  His  spirit,  energy,  and  martial  prowess,  were 
the  subjects  of  much  laudation.  IIo  was  the  leader  in  behalf  of  tho  Itritish  in  several 
expeditions  of  parties  of  his  red  warriors  against  the  Canadian  French  and  their  tawny 
as.sociatcs ;  for  ho  and  his  people  were  ever  the  fast  friends  and  uncompromising  allies 
i,f  the  British,  on  this  important  frontier.  The  last  and  principal  of  tliese  expeditions  was 
to  Lake  George,  in  which  our  hero  fell,  mortally  wounded,  at  the  memorable  battle  of 
September  8th,  1755." 


«■ 

i 


ift's  Notes  of 

rul  scout,  and 
ts  when  there 
ad  an  electric 
lented  even  in 
;  but  several 
een  the  years 
ign.  On  ono 
lout  tho  year 
with  Brussels 
at  period.    In 

this  portrait, 
oured  in  con- 

a  relative  in 
Bcently  I  have 
Lansing,  Esq., 

kind  disposi- 
ij.  Altliough 
I  countenance 
'  of  every  tro- 
1  a  diplomatist 
ih  his  brother 
!.     Hcndrick's 

atlve  of  ErnitAiM 
Is  address  for  tho 
I  of  iDformatiOD. 


NOTE  XVI.— Page  22. 


ISRAEL    PUTNAM. 


Israel  Putkam  served  as  a  private  at  the  battle  of  Lake  George,  not  having  probably 
yet  received  his  commission  of  second  lieutenant  of  tho  sixth  company  of  the  tliird  Con- 
necticut regiment.  He  marched  under  Colonel  Whiting  on  "  tho  bloody  morning  scout."  He 
was  frequently  detached  as  a  ranger  to  go  in  quest  of  tho  enemy.  He  was  a  fearless  spirit, 
genial  and  generous  in  his  social  traits,  and  shrewd  after  Indians  in  a  forest.  Ho  has  made 
many  an  excursion  about  Lake  George,  has  often  pulled  an  oar  upon  its  waters,  and  then, 
drawing  up  his  boat  on  the  shore,  toiled  his  way  through  the  forests  and  over  tho  moun- 
tains. He  was  several  times  employed,  immediately  after  the  battle  of  Lake  George,  in 
ranging  through  the  country  towanls  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point.  Captain  Putnam 
and  Captain  Rogers  were  both  famous  as  rangers.  The  latter  was  a  New  Hampshire 
man,  and  turned  against  us  in  the  Revolution. 

Major  Putnam  was  at  Fort  Ed7^.ird  with  General  Webb  when  Montcalm  was  expected 
to  attack  Fort  William  Henry.  i£e  accompanied  the  general  on  a  visit  to  tho  latter  fort, 
and  obtained  permission  to  reconnoitre  on  the  lake.  With  eighteen  volunteers,  in  three 
boats,  he  went  as  far  as  Northwest  Bay,  and  from  thence  saw  a  large  body  of  tho  enemy 
on  an  island.  Returning  to  the  fort,  lie  reported  to  General  Webb  the  certainty  of  tho 
enemy's  approach,  when  that  timorous  officer  wished  to  retire  immediately  to  Fort  Edward, 
but  was  persuaded  to  wait  until  the  next  morning.  General  Webb  then  went  back  with 
Putnam.  The  latter  was  anxious  to  assist  in  the  defence  of  the  fort,  but  could  not  obtain 
permission.  After  the  capture  of  Fort  William  Henry,  ho  was  sent  to  reconnoitre  the 
enemy.  His  account  of  the  scene  at  the  ruins  may  be  found  under  the  note  on  Fort 
William  Henry,  at  tho  end. 

Major  Putnam  was  in  Abercrombie's  unsuccessful  expedition  to  Ticonderoga  in  1759, 
and  was  in  the  detachment  with  Lord  Howe  when  he  fell.     Putnam  was  taken  prisouer 


i 


L 


»Sc^!iKiSs/ti»,.i-f^iiiie^ii>afitmB^ 


1     t 


VMiOKSba^^^-^*-'-^!!^^  ^rr*^-^*iltt^i' 


i 


Fllni 


6S 


the  same  year,  on  one  of  liis  oxcurgions  near  Lake  Champlain,  and  carried  to  Montreal ; 
out  ho  was  goon  rolcn.sud  nn  cxchiin);c.  In  1750,  bo  accompanied  General  AnilierHt,  was 
at  the  capture  of  Tieondcroga  and  Cruwn  Point,  and  at  the  capitulation  of  Montreal  ia 
1700.  In  17C;J,  he  served  with  flcncral  I.yman  in  the  British  expedition  which  captured 
Havana.  In  17G4,  ho  took  part  in  the  war  against  Pontiac,  the  celebrated  Ottoway  chief, 
and  as  colonel  commanded  a  regiment  of  four  hundred  Connecticut  troops. 

When  the  Revolutionary  war  broke  out,  Israel  Putnam  came  forward  to  do  his  part.  lie 
assisted  at  Bunker's  Hill,  and  some  make  him  the  gcneral-in-chief  on  that  memorable  day. 
lie  had  much  to  do  with  its  preparations  and  movements.  He  was  afterwards  appointed 
a  major-general  by  Congress.  His  services  in  the  Revolution  wore  many  and  arduous.  He 
yras  beloved  by  Washington.  He  died  in  1700,  aged  72,  having  made  a  profession  of 
religion  a  few  years  before.  At  the  time  of  his  death,  ho  was  senior  major-general  iu  the 
armies  of  the  United  States. 


NOTU  XVII.— Page  22. 

THE  OrriCEBS  AND  THEIB  QRAVES. 

Among  the  provincial  officers  slain  at  the  battle  of  Lake  Qeorge,  were  Colonel  Ephraim 
Williams,  Colonel  Moses  Titcomb,  Major  Noah  Ashley,  Captains  Elisha  Hawlcy,  Moses 
Porter,  Jared  Ingcrsoll,  Solomon  Keys,  Stoddart,  Farrell,  Stevens,  William  McGinuis,  with 
eight  lieutenants  and  several  ensigns.  Some  notice  of  Colonel  Williams  has  been  already 
given.  Officers  of  lower  rank  having  commonly  had  little  opportunity,  cither  by  age  or 
service,  of  personal  distinction,  are  not  much  noticed  in  history. 

Colonel  Moses  Tilcoinb,  of  P)s,sex  county,  Massachusetts,  was  an  officer  hold  in  high  esteem. 
Ho  had  served  as  major  in  the  expedition  against  Louisburg.  The  position  of  his  regiment 
in  the  battle  of  Lake  George  was  on  tlie  extreme  right  of  the  camp,  by  itself,  with  no  other 
regiment  before  or  behind  it.  Dieskau  laid  out  his  strength  in  his  attack  on  the  right  after 
he  had  failed  on  the  centre ;  but  the  "  Massachusetts  boys"  held  their  ground.  The  three 
Massachusetts  regiments  under  the  command  of  Ruggles,  Titcomb,  and  Williams,  [now 
commanded  by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Pomroy,]  were  all  stationed  on  the  right, — that  of  Tit< 
comb  being  on  the  extreme  right.  These  regiments  lost  one  hundred  and  twenty-two  men 
out  of  tho  one  hundred  and  ninety-one  provincial  troops  who  fell  on  that  day,  with  the  only 
two  colonels  who  were  among  the  killed. 

Captain  Elisha  llawlrij  had  served  under  Williams  at  Fort  Massachusetts.  He  was  ia 
"the  bloody  morning  scout."  Being  shot  through  the  lungs,  be  was  brought  to  tho  camp, 
where  he  died  in  a  few  days.* 

Captain  Moses  Porter,  of  Iladley,  Massachusetts,  was  also  in  "  the  bloody  morning  scout" 
Whilst  defending  himself  in  the  retreat,  be  was  made  prisoner,  bound  to  a  tree,  and  cut  in 
pieces  by  the  Indians.f 

Captuin  William  McGinnis,  of  Schenectady,  New  York,  commanded  the  detachment  which 
gallantly  marched  from  Fort  Edward  to  the  camp.  This  detachment  captured  the  baggage 
of  tho  French  army,  and  assisted  in  driving  the  enemy  farther  on  towards  their  boats. 
Towards  the  end  of  the  action,  a  ball  glanced  from  a  tree  and  struck  McGinnis  on  the  head, 
making  a  severe  contusion.  He,  however,  continued  to  command ;  but  he  charged  a  com- 
panion-in-arms, in  case  he  fell  to  the  ground,  to  protect  him  from  the  tomahawks  of  the 
Indians.^  He  was  carried  on  ahorse  to  the  camp.  A  letter  from  a  soldier,  written  on  the 
10th,  says,  "Captain  Maginiss  is  \r\  the  pains  of  death. "§     lie  died  on  that  day.|| 

My  materials  do  not  supply  gje  with  information  about  the  other  officers. 

•  Uoj't's  Antliiuarian  ReBuarchcs.         f  Ibid.         %  Ibid.         I  Colonial  Doc.,  vl.  10O5.         |  Ibid.  lOOT. 


i8^<aite^<iiii<iiiai8aiii^^ 


)  Montreal ; 
iiihorKt,  wng 
Muutrcal  in 
[:b  ciiptured 
;oway  chief, 

ia  part.  IIo 
norable  day. 
\a  appointed 
riluoua.  He 
rofcssion  of 
moral  in  the 


incl  Ephraim 
wley,  Moses 
sGlnuis,  with 
been  already 
or  by  age  or 

high  esteem, 
his  regiment 
witli  DO  other 
lie  right  after 
1.  The  three 
illiams,  [now 
-that  of  Tit- 
enty-two  men 
with  the  only 

I.     He  was  in 
to  the  camp, 

>rniDg  scout." 
ee,  and  cut  in 

ichment  which 
d  the  baggage 
Is  their  boata. 
IS  on  the  head, 
barged  a  com- 
ahawks  of  the 
written  on  the 
day.ll 

B Ibid.  1007. 


60 

The  officers  were  naturally  buried  by  thcraselvoi,  bb  oompanions-in-nrms ;  and  tlicir 
graves  are  pointe<l  out  by  tradition  to  the  men  of  tliis  generation.  Tbtir  locution  it  in  a 
Bechiilcd  Kpot  on  the  west  of  the  road  not  far  from  Fort  Ooorge.  A  guiJu  is  necessary  in 
order  to  show  the  graves  to  »  stranger. 


NOTE  XVIII.— rage  23. 

PBOTIDKNCB  IN  OUB  FATOCH  AT  LAKE  OEOnGK  IN  1755. 

That  there  is  an  overruling  Providence  in  the  affairs  of  men  and  nations,  must  bo  admitted 
by  all  who  read  the  Scriptures  or  attentively  consider  the  history  of  the  world.  In  time.'j 
of  crisis  or  of  special  deliverance  from  evil,  our  dependence  upon  God  is  more  apt  to  be 
noticed  than  at  ordinary  times.  And  hence  the  rescue  of  our  army  from  dcHtruotion  in 
the  campaign  of  1755  will  probably  be  acknowledged  among  the  many  intorponitions  of 
God  in  our  country's  behalf.  Trovidcnco  was  on  our  side  in  tlie  moans  by  which  Dicskau'a 
expedition  was  defeated,  and  in  the  threatened  evils  averted  by  his  defoat. 

1.  When  Dieskau  set  out  from  Crown  Point,  the  probability  of  his  capturing  Fort  Eilward 
was  a  very  strong  one.  He  knew  that  the  American  army  had  reached  tlie  lake,  and 
that  Fort  Edward  was  defended  only  by  a  small  garrison.  His  own  army,  largo  enough, 
under  any  circumstances  that  were  likely  to  occur,  to  accomplish  an  easy  victory,  (or,  as 
General  Johnson  called  it,  a  "  cheap  victory,")  had  landed  at  South  Bay,  oml  mai-chcil  witiiin 
three  miles  of  the  fort  without  being  discovered.  An  assault  would  have  boon  a  triumph, 
«io  far  as  human  calculation  can  solve  the  question.  Even  his  rcgulors,  without  tlic  aid  of 
Canadians  and  Indians,  could  have  overcome  the  garrison  "encamptd  separately  without 
the  works."  What  prevented  an  attack?  The  Indians  and  Canadians,  Icarni.ig  that  there 
were  cannon  at  the  fort,  were  afraid  to  face  them,  and  thus  Dieskau  was  compelled  to 
abandon  his  well-laid  original  plan.  This  part  of  his  plan  was,  moreover,  all  the  capital 
which,  as  a  military  trader,  he  could  invest  witli  a  sure  return  of  interest;  and,  failing  liero, 
ho  became  a  mere  adventurer.  The  reluctance  of  the  Indians  to  attack  the  "  carryijig- 
place,"  when  that  was  the  prime  object  of  the  expedition,  is  a  notable  event  under  any 
aspect;  but  it  seems  that  their  apprehensions  arose  from  false  information.  General 
Johnson,  writing  after  the  battle,  says  that  there  was  "no  cannon  there."  Was  it  not 
remarkable  that  Indian  scouts  did  not  convey  more  reliable  intelligence,  and  especially 
that  the  intelligence  .should  have  been  of  that  kind,  and  of  that  kind  only,  which  prevented 
the  assault  ? 

Again : — The  detachment  sent  out  from  Johnson's  camp,  commonly  known  afterwards  as 
•'  the  bloody  morning  scout,"  was  on  the  verge  of  utter  destruction.  One  of  the  enemy's 
muskets,  prematurely  discharged,  gave  the  detachment  warning  of  danger  before  they  had 
fully  entered  within  the  ambush  of  the  half-moon.  If  they  had  marclicd  a  little  farther, 
they  would  have  been  compassed  about  by  a  terrible  foe,  who  had  received  orders  to  give 
no  quarter.  As  it  was,  the  detachment  lost  nearly  one  man  in  ten.  The  retreat  was  well 
conducted ;  and  one-third  of  the  whole  army  was  enabled  to  get  back  safely  for  the  defence 
of  the  camp.  It  was  fortunate,  too,  that  the  detachment  was  defeated  so  near  to  the  camp. 
Had  the  ambuscade  been  made  some  miles  farther  off,  greater  losses  might  have  occurred 
in  the  hot  pursuit  of  an  excited  foe,  and  Colonel  Cole's  reinforcement  would  not  have  been 
80  speedily  sent  for  the  rescue. 

In  the  third  place.  Providence  aided  the  American  cause  in  the  lialt  made  by  Dieskau 
before  the  camp.  Was  it  owing  to  the  fright  of  the  Indians  skulking  away  at  tlic  unex- 
pected sight  of  the  "  big  guns"  ?  Their  scouts  had  rcgortcd  tlmt  there  woic  no  guns  at 
the  camp,  and  yet  this  was  the  very  depot  of  the  artillery.     The  astonished  Indians  and 


I 


**nMi<a«ita»)t 


60 


Cnnu'linnH  became  fnint-heartcd  n  necond  time ;  nnd  the  delay  of  Dienkau,  whether  owing 
to  tliis  or  Homn  otlier  cuune,  ennlilcil  tlio  whole  il(>tnchuiuut  to  get  safely  witliiii  the  linen, 
recover  tlicir  opirifo,  iinil  make  ready  for  the  defence.  General  Lyman  had  arrived  only 
five  days  before  witli  a  diviHion  of  the  army  and  the  heavy  artillery. 

All  IheHO  circuniMfanccs,  taken  togpthcr,  constitute  a  case  of  proviiloiitial  interpositios 
irorthy  to  bo  enrolled  among  tlio  grateful  rcminitjconceii  of  a  religious  peuplc. 

2.  The  rrmlti  likely  to  Imvo  followed  the  buccc»»  of  Dieskau'H  expedition  Increase  the 
claim  for  the  recognition  of  our  dependence  upon  Qod  and  our  gratitude  for  Ilin  provi- 
dential deliverance,  The  fate  of  the  whfile  northern  frontier  was  connected  with  tlie  issues 
of  this  engagement.  Fort  Kdward  would  have  been  a  victory  "cheap"  enough  after 
Johnsoii's  defeat ;  and  then  the  route  was  a  plain  one  to  Albany.  The  distance  was  short, 
and  the  prijo  was  great.  The  scenes  of  horror  wh'ch  might  or  would  bavo  occurred  can- 
not be  known  to  finite  mind.  Great  desolation  by  firo,  plunder,  and  ibo  sword,  was  the  sad 
prospect.  iSucb,  at  least,  were  the  apprehenMions  of  intelligent  and  brave  men  at  the  time. 
The  author  of  "  The  Review  of  Militanj  Operuitons"  writes  thus  : — '•  iuoskau,  having  in  vain 
Waited  the  coming  up  of  our  army,  at  last  resolved  hinii'elf  to  advance  towards  them,  and, 
if  ho  proverl  victorious,  to  desolate  our  northern  settlements,  lay  the  towns  of  Albany  and 
Schenectady  in  ashes,  and  cut  off  all  communication  with  Oswego.  A  dreadful  resolution, 
my  lord.  And  had  he  succeeded — I  tremble  at  the  thought — had  he  succeeded !  But  the 
Supremo  Disposer  of  events  had  not  yet  devoted  us  to  ruin,  and  therefore,  like  the  counsels 
of  Ahitliophel,  lilasted  the  sanguinary  purpose."*  In  another  place,  the  same  writer  says ; — 
"  The  repulse  of  the  French  delivered  us  from  such  unspeakable  calamity,  naturally  to  bo 
apprehended  from  the  enemy's  success,  that  we  have  infinite  reason  to  thank  the  God  of 
battles  fur  thus  remarkably  rescuing  us  from  the  jaws  of  perdition."f 

Colonel  DAncnc'K,  who  wa«  a  captain  in  "  the  bloody  morning  scout,"  thus  states  the  case  in 
n  letter  to  Dr.  Cooper,  1773: — "Witness  the  engagement  he  had  with  Baron  Dieskau  on  the 
8th  September,  1 7o5,  (a  day  th.nt  I  shall  ever  have  great  reason  to  remember,  for  I  lost  nine- 
teen men  that  morning  out  of  sixty  that  were  under  my  command,) — an  action  as  important 
in  its  consequences  as  any  that  ever  happened  to  this  country,  from  the  first  settlement  of 
it  to  the  present  day  Had  the  Baron  succeeded  in  his  attempt  against  Sir  William,  this 
country,  at  least  great  part  of  it,  would  have  been  deluged  in  Blood  and  Slaughter;  and 
such  scenes  of  Horror  and  Distress  would  have  ensued,  as  would  shock  the  ear  of  the  most 
obdurate  wretch.  *  *  *  The  City  of  Albany  would  have  fallen  a  sacrifice  to  that  most 
enterprising  general,  the  Baron.  The  Baron  very  justly  observed  that,  had  he  won  the  day 
in  that  action,  ho  would  easily  have  cut  off  all  supplies  from  General  Shirley,  and  who,  of 
course,  must  of  necessity  submitted  to  any  terms  the  Baron  would  have  pleased  to  impose. 
The  Six  Nations,  had  Sir  William  been  defeated,  would  have  joyn'd  the  Baron,  and  the 
City  of  New  York  would  have  been  the  Baron's  head-quarters.  But,  thanks  be  to  Qod, 
all-ind<ilgent  Heaven  did  not  think  proper  to  devote  this  country  to  ruin. "J  Although 
Colonel  BabcooK,  in  this  letter,  was  evidently  paying  a  compliment  to  Sir  William,  and  used 
exagp;erated  terms,  there  can  still  be  no  doubt  that  the  most  serious  and  dreadful  conse- 
quences would  have  resulted  from  Dieskau's  success.  I'rovidonce  stayed  the  wave  of  his 
aggression,  and  it  rolled  back  upon  his  own  expedition  'with  recoiling  ruin. 

•  iftriw,  p.  58.  t  Ibid.  p.  69.  J  Doc.  Hl«t.  of  N.  Y,  !v.  487, 488. 


*r 


j:^sfe6Siai^8«afcaaae>»<)tffrti%>aMiiaM8a^^ 


n 


NOTE  XIX.— rnge  26. 

,(«».  IIIB  TRBATT  or  PAUIH,    17.13. 

The  Old  French  AVar  continued  until  the  close  of  1702,  when  the  terms  of  pmco  wcro 
Bcttlc(l  by  Iht'  Irfulij  of  1'ari.i,  ond  eipnod  in  February,  171^1.  Fninco  wiiH  iililini'il  to  ci'do 
to  Orciit  -Oritain  not  only  Nova  Scotia  and  Canada,  but,  "in  order  to  cstal)li^ll  pearo  on 
solid  and  durable  foundations,  and  to  remove  forever  all  suojcctn  of  dinputu"  uhout 
territory,  the  King  of  Franco  ceded  to  liii  Britannic  Majesty  "  every  thing  lie  poHsesirica, 
or  ought  to  possess,  on  the  left  side  of  the  river  Mitsissippi,  cxoopt  the  town  of  Now 
Orleans  and  the  island  on  whieli  it  is  situated."  By  the  same  treaty,  Spain,  which  wiis  au 
ally  of  Franco  in  the  continental  war,  wa^'  obliged,  as  the  means  of  recovering  llavuua, 
to  cede  to  England  Florida,  St.  Augustine,  the  Buy  of  Pcnsacola,  and  all  her  possessions  to 
the  cast  and  southeast  of  the  Mississippi.  To  compensate  Spain  for  tho  loss  of  Florido, 
France,  by  a  secret  treaty  on  tho  same  day,  ceded  to  Spain  New  Orleans  and  all  her 
territory  west  of  the  Mississippi.  The  present  bouudurics  of  tho  United  States  wcro 
obtained  by  subsequent  treaties. 

Tho  treaty  of  Paris  was,  for  tho  Anglo-Saxons  on  tho  American  continent,  one  of  tho 
greatest  trophies  ever  won  in  war  by  a  victorious  nation.  Whilst  Ureat  Britain  camo  into 
permanent  possession  of  Canada,  tho  territory  east  of  tho  Mississippi,  including  tho  fertile 
regions  northwest  of  tho  Ohio,  reverted  to  the  United  States  when  thuy  became  of  age, 
twenty-one  years  after,  at  the  treaty  of  178.3.  These  possessions  rendered  certain  tho 
acfiuisition  of  tho  adjoining  territory,  and  decided  tho  destiny  of  the  vast  domain  west 
and  southwest  of  the  Mississippi  to  tho  Pacific  Ocean. 


I-  - 


NOTE  XX.— Page  28. 


POBT    WII,  tlAM    IIENBY. 


The  first  notice  that  I  fiud  of  a  proposal  to  build  a  fort  on  Lake  George  is  from  LiEn- 
TENANT-OovKBNon,  Dklanckt,  who,  in  a  letter  •)  the  Lords  of  Trade,  dated  December,  1754, 
says  that  there  ought  to  be  a  fort  "at  the  south  of  Lake  St.  Sacrament."  IIo  gives  four 
reasons:— 1.  As  a  protection  to  the  Mohawks.  2.  A  defence  against  the  French.  8.  A  sup- 
port to  our  own  military  expeditions.  4.  A  declaration  of  right  to  the  soil  and  our  purpose 
to  maintain  it.*  General  Johnson  mentions  his  determination  to  build  a  fort,  on  tho  day 
after  his  arrival  at  the  lake ;  and,  on  the  4th  of  September,  says,  "  We  have  fixed  upon  a 
spot  for  a  fort;  it  is  clearing,  and  near  400  men  employ -d."!  On  Sept.  7th,  tho  council 
of  oflScers  decided  "  that  a  picketed  fort  be  built  without  delay,  under  tho  direction  of  Col. 
WilUama,  and  sufficient  to  contain  and  accommodate  100  men."  At  the  same  time,  General 
Johnson  informs  the  eouncil  that  he  himself  thinks  a  larger  fort  ought  to  be  built.  A  week 
after,  (Sept.  14th,)  the  minutes  of  the  council  state,  "  Tho  General  acquainted  this  council 
of  war  that  his  opinion  had  always  inclined  to  have  some  stronger  fortification  than  a 
picketed  fort  built  here,  but  had  yielded  to  the  opinions  of  the  council  of  war,  and  to 
their  information  that  most  of  the  troops  had  an  aversion  to  digging,  and  that  the  majority 
of  the  officers  and  troops  were  eagerly  bent  on  having  only  a  picketed  fort.    *    *    * 

•  Colonial  DocumentB,  vl.  925. 

t  This  and  the  following  quotations  from  Johnson's  Letters  are  either  from  his  unpublished  manuscripts,  or 
from  those  published  In  Doc.  Hist,  of  N.  Y.,  vol.  11. 


' '  --JmAxintimi^mxmaUmv^S!^ 


02 


The  General  •li<l  not  tnko  any  vnto  or  rciolution  thoroon,  finding  the  cuuucil  avcHo  to 
baviiiK  any  ntlior  furt  thiin  a  picketod  one." 

A.i  tlio  Uoncrnl  wiih  of)ii('::c<l  to  tliu  orUling  plan,  il  «Ai.'ttc::  n"  «^oat  lUrpriMo  tn  loarn 
tlmt,  on  ttio  2'M\\  Sopt.,  tliu  piokctcil  fort  wfts  "  ndviincing  nlowly,"  iiiiil  tlmt  tliu  (iciipiul 
found  "only  adozvn  men  in  it."  On  tlio  snnio  day  "the  OoniTiil  aoiiimintt'cl  liiit  cuuncil 
of  war  tlmt  .Sir  CluirlcH  Hardy,  Goirrnor  of  Ntw  York,  had  exprcfxed  tlin  opinion  that  a 
more  rejipectnlilo  fort  than  a  picketed  one  should  bo  there  built,"  and  that  "  tlio  Rcntlomcn 
of  his  Miijfftii'n  Cnuneil  with  him  at  Albany  concur  in  tho  name  opinion."  Wlmroupon  a  ma- 
jority of  the  council  decided  that  "  a  place  of  HtrenKth,  with  maKaziiieH  ami  KtoreliouHCM  and 
barracks,  bo  immediately  set  obout  to  be  built;  «  •  »  that  il  be  ma<lo  largo  enough 
to  garrison  upon  occaHions  500  men,  and  that  700  men  bo  detached  out  of  this  army"  for 
tho  purpose.  Tho  General  Immediately  nendB  a  dcfipatch  to  tho  ofliccr  at  Kort  Kdwanl 
"  for  nil  thf  npiidet  and  thovfls  you  have,  fxtept  a  few  for  your  own  use ;"  and  reporte,  on  tho 
7th  of  October,  that  "  tho  fort  goes  on,  all  things  considered,  prttly  well.  There  are 
many  diRicuItteM  to  combat  against,  from  that  nversonesa  to  labour  and  tho  want  of  duo 
subordination  which  I  early  found  to  bo  the  capital  eins  of  this  army."  Tho  farmcrH  of 
New  Knglatnl  and  New  York  had  been  more  than  a  month  already  at  tho  lake,  wasting  tho 
best  time  of  tho  autumn  instead  of  advancing  upon  Ticondoroga  and  Crown  Point,  and 
now  thoy  are  to  bo  set  to  work  in  building  a  large  fort.  Was  not  this  measure  a  sign  that 
tho  expedition  was  not  to  go  any  farther  that  year?  On  Oct.  9th,  tho  council  decide  tliat  it 
was  inexpedient  to  proceed  to  Ticondoroga,  for  two  reasons: — "  tho  want  of  a  suflicient 
number  of  men  and  a  suflicient  quantity  of  provisions."  On  Oct.  llth,  tho  council  report 
about  ."KWO  men  at  the  camp  fit  for  duty,  600  at  Fort  Edward,  and  2500  recruiting  at 
Albany  ;  ond,  on  t!  -  22d,  Johnson  reporta  4500  men  fit  for  duty  ;  but  "  the  fort  goes  on 
slowly."  On  Nov.  \-\\,  the  General  writes,  "  Our  fort  hero  is/dr  advanced  to  its  completion. 
It  has  mot  with  many  obstructions,  and  tho  men  have  been  very  backward  in  woiliing 
there,  which  line  been  partly  owing  to  several  of  their  officers.  *  *  *  I  hope  it  will  bo 
in  a  tenable  comlition  in  eight  or  nine  days." 

On  Nov.  4th,  tlie  General  writes — "The  iattfinuhing  here,  (which  I  have  named  William 
Henbt,  oftor  two  of  the  royal  fomily,*)  if  tho  weather  permits,  will,  I  hope,  bo  speedily 
fit  to  receive  a  garrison."  All  accounts  represent  tho  season  as  having  been  remarkably 
propitious  ;  the  autumn  had  been  fine,  healthy  weather,  with  scarcely  any  rain  to  interrupt 
tho  works.  Of  course,  it  was  too  late  now  to  proceed  on  tho  expedition  ;  and,  on  the  21st, 
tho  council  of  war  so  decided  for  the  third  time,  and  finally.  On  the  24th,  tho  council 
decided  that  750  men  were  sufficient  to  garrison  the  two  forts : — 430  for  Fort  William 
Henry,  and  320  for  Fort  Edward;  and  that  "these  troops  should  be  considered  as  a  regi- 
ment, and  that  Jonathan  Bagley,  Esq.,  should  be  Colonel,  Nathan  Whiting,  Lieutenant- 
Colonel,  and  Edmund  Matthews,  Major."  The  army  was  now  disbanded,  and  returned  home. 
General  Johnson  held  bis  last  council  of  war  at  Fort  Edward,  on  the  28th  of  November, 
and  on  the  2d  of  December  resigned  his  command,  passing  a  eulogy  on  Captain  Eyres, 
the  engineer  of  both  forts,  ond  quartermaster-general.  This  eulogy  was  not  without 
effect;  for  the  engineer  received  a  commission  as  major  on  the  7th  of  January,  175G. 

From  this  brief  history  of  the  origin  of  Fort  William  Henry,  it  will  be  seen  that  it  was 
commenced  at  tho  end  of  September  and  finished  towards  the  end  of  November ;  its  con- 

•  WiLUAH,  Duke  of  Cumberland,  was  a  general  of  aoiue  emloence  in  tho  two  wara.  He  waa  the  commander  of 
the  Allies  at  the  liattle  of  Font«noy,  1745,  where  he  was  defeated  by  Maishal  Saxe.  He  was  then  only  twenty- 
Ibur  years  of  age,  and  thU  Is  said  to  hare  been  his  first  action.  He  commanded  the  Aliiun,  al.w,  at  the  breaking 
out  of  the  new  war.  and  engaged  In  the  campaign  of  Germany,  in  17.^7.  This  was  a  very  disastrous  campaign. 
Ills  Itoyal  HlghiiiRB,  with  an  army  of  38,000,  was  obllgi-d  to  capitulate  to  the  French.  Tho  articles  were 
signed  at  the  camp  at  Closter-Soven,  Sept.  8th,  1757.  The  Duke  of  Cumberland  was  grandson  of  George  II., 
and  brother  of  George  III.,  at  that  time  heir-apparent  to  the  throne.  Next  to  Prince  George,  who  afterwards 
became  King  Cieorge  III.,  came  Lis  brother  Eduiard,  and  next  to  Kd'fsrd  came  William  Umry. 


I  cuuiicil  avcrHo  to 

t  HUrpriMO  tn  lonrn 
>l  iliikt  thu  (iiMiri'ul 
iiliitt'cl  hlii  council 
:lio  opinion  tiint  a 
nt  "  the  Rcntlcmen 

Wluiroupon  Bina- 
ml  «t(ircliouHcs  nnd 
iikIo  liirgo  enough 
of  this  iirmy"  for 
r  lit  Kort  Kilwurd 
ml  rcportH,  on  tho 

well.  There  are 
J  the  want  of  duo 
'  Tho  farmers  of 
5  lake,  wiisting  tho 

frown  Point,  and 
leasure  n  xign  that 
uncil  (Iccido  that  it 
rant  of  a  nufliciont 

the  council  report 
26U0  recruiting  at 

"  tlio  fort  goes  on 

rd  to  ill  cnmplftion. 

kward  in  working 

I  hope  it  will  bo 

vo  named  Wilmam 
[  hope,  bo  speedily 
5  been  remarkably 
ly  rain  to  interrupt 
;  and,  on  tho  2lHt, 
24th,  tho  council 
)  for  Fort  William 
nsidorcd  as  a  regi- 
liting,  Liuutonant- 
,nd  returned  home. 
28th  of  November, 
on  Captain  Eyres, 
1  waH  not  without 
inuary,  175C. 
be  Been  that  it  was 
lovember ;  its  con- 

yr*»  the  commander  of 
I  was  then  only  twonty- 
ni,  aim,  at  the  bnmking 
y  disastroux  campaign, 
•h.  The  articles  were 
;randson  of  George  11., 
leorge,  nho  afterwards 
'imri/. 


M 

•tnictlon  occupying  about  two  montlm.  It  further  appearn  that  tho  offlccru  wore  opposed 
to  building  -uch  It  fort.  Tliey  objected  not  only  to  II,..  work  itsHf,  w  out  of  >.,M»un,  but 
to  the  h\\.-  .selected  by  Captain  Kyre«.  This  (act  appear.  Iron,  tleneral  .lohnson'H  Irtler  of 
Oct.  2lM,  ii.ldresM'd  to  the  (ioverni>r,  in  which  he  Miyn:  — "Ah  to  thU  fort  building  here, 
Whau,.cT  i'wi.nuKi.u.N  have  been  nmdo  to  your  Honour  to  tho  contrary,  I  am  convinced 
that  the  g,„und  In  the  mo,t  advanlnffeuuj  of  any  which  could  bo  choHeu  "liore,  and  has  not 
Within  ;;7tl  paces  <d'  it  iw>/  r,.i„,/  ;,rn,i,„l  Ihal  ,„i„mm,<!,  if.  and  that  dNtanco  \h  not  within 
battery  in  breach.  Thi»  fort  ha.-*  hoi  lie,  and  cominucs  to  bear,  the  m,ih,/,i„„t  ;,:;r^>^of  muiii-,  f,.r 
which  i  can  lind  no  other  re.iM.m  Hum  ignorance  or  obsdimcy."  It  Ih  certain  that  the'»ilto 
of  the  fort  always  had  opponeutH  from  tho  earliest  period.  Tiie  '• /{,rinr  r,/  Miliian/ 
Optrationi"  ntotos  that  "It  won  faulted  by  .Mr.  Mnntrenor,  tho  chief-engineer."*  It 
•ecmn,  however,  to  havo  been  a  favourite  project  with  Dehmcey  and  Johnson;  but  military 
men  have  jrood  reason  for  doubting  the  wisdom  of  its  location. 

Its  history  is  interesting,  but  sad.  Keeeiving  a  small  garrison  for  tho  winter  -.f  ITM-f.O, 
nothing  occurre,!  to  test  its  powers.  Itogcrs,  the  celebrated  ranger  of  New  llampsliire,  "nmdo 
many  inciusion.s  upon  the  enemy,  fell  on  their  scatter..!  parlies,  ii-  scarce  ever  returned 
to  Fort  William  Henry  without  scalps  and  pris„ners,"t  During  the  summer  .d'  ITo  the 
passage  from  Kort  KdwanI  to  Fort  William  Henry  was  "infested  and  many  of  our  ,,eo|,lo 
cut  otl."J  At  this  period,  .Montcalm  arrived  in  America,  and  one  of  his  first  oxcursio  .s  was 
to  examine  Crown  I'oint  and  Tic.mderogn,  and  to  complete  the  preparations  at  tliose  • .  oortant 
posts.  The  campaign  in  the  colonies  conteni|)lated  nolhing  l„r  Fort  William  Henry.  In 
January,  IT.".?,  Stark  sallied  forth  from  it  down  Lake  Chaiiiplaiu,  and  returned  after  a  skir 
mish  lo  receive  promotion,  iiut  the  hour  of  danger  is  at  hand.  Montcalm  surveys  it,  am' 
its  d..om  is  fixed  in  history,  although  delayeil  bir  a  short  period,  as  if  to  tost  its  c  d.ili'ty  in 
a  fair  contest.  On  tho  morning  of  the  llllh  of  March,  tlie  garrison  was  alarme  •,.,  :.  noise 
and  light  at  a  considerable  distance  down, the  lake;  and  in  about  two  hour  the  .uemy 
appeared  on  tho  ice  in  front  of  the  f„rt.  They  consisted  of  about  2tl00  troops,  (regulars, 
Canadians,  and  Indians,)  ju-ovided  with  DOO  .scaling  ladders  and  all  tho  ref,uisites  for  a 
brisk  attack.  Itut,  the  guns  of  the  garrison  opening  a  heavy  tire  tipon  them,  tliev  retreat 
at  daybreak.  They,  however,  soon  renewed  the  attack,  with  their  forces  arranged  on  the 
lake  ami  ou  each  side,  as  if  to  show  a  <letermination  to  surruun.l  it.  Hut  they  are  again 
compelled  to  withdraw,  aftoi  a  warm  reception  from  the  garrison.  On  tho  2  th,  at  mid- 
night, tliey  return  to  the  charge,  without  any  better  success,  nnd,  after  setting  firo 
to  two  sloops  and  most  of  the  bateaux,  are  compelled  again  to  withdraw.  At  noon  on 
tho  21st,  the  French  sent  two  men,  with  a  flag,  to  tho  fort,  demanding  a  surrender  in  tho 
name  of  M.  do  Vaudreuil,  Oovernor-Ooneral  of  Canada.  The  commanding  officer  declining 
to  comply  with  this  summons,  tho  French  came  back  to  tho  assault;  but  in  vain.  Tho 
young  fort  defended  itself  with  energy  nnd  perseverance.  Tho  enemy,  finally,  were  com- 
pelled to  beat  a  retreat  and  to  retire  from  before  its  mounds  -vd  guns.  ,Se»ting  lire  to  tho 
Btorehouscs  of  the  provincial  soldiers,  the  huts  of  the  ran;- .,  <■..  d  a  sloop  on  the  stocks, 
they  retrace  their  steps  upon  tho  ice,  and  leave  to  tho  fort  ,n  interval  of  honourable 
repose.  Major  Kyrcs,  the  engineer  who  constructed  the  fort,  was  at  this  time  one  of  its 
Oflicers  ;  and  its  successful  defence  must  havo  boon  to  him  a  matter  of  intense  interest  and 
satisfaction. 

Summer  comes,  and  tho  glory  of  Fort  William  Tic  ry  is  soon  to  disappear.  Tho  gar- 
nson,  with  the  men  in  the  intrenchments  situated  where  Fort  Goorgo  now  stands,  numbered 
2500  men,  under  tho  command  of  Colonel  George  Munro.  Gener.d  Webb  was  at  Fort 
Edward  with  4000  men.  Montcalm  advanced  from  Crown  Point  and  Ticonderoga  with  an 
army  of  80(11),  including  800  Indians,  determined  to  capture  the  fort  that  had  baffled  all 
his  attempts  in  the  spring.     Whilst  his  own  corps  proceeded  down  the  lake  in  two  hundred 

*llci-Cew,p.:o.  t  Do- p.  121.  t  Bo.  p.  123. 


WW.Uisj--^vaVliAf^artfc;<.^gy,ji,jij[^aaa»aijl^^ 


t! 


I    f' 


m 

and  fifty  boats,  in  company  with  tlio  Indians  in  tlioir  canoes,  Do  Levi  marched  his  detach- 
mcnt  through  the  unbroken  forests  on  the  western  shore.  On  the  24th  of  July,  Colonel 
Palmer  set  out  from  Fort  William  Henry  with  350  men  in  twenty-two  barges,  for' the  pur- 
pose of  reconnoitcring  and  cutting  oflF,  if  possible,  the  advanced  corps  of  the  French. 
Never  was  expedition  more  unfortunate.  A  largo  party  of  Canadians  and  Indians,  "  who 
were  in  ambush  among  the  islands  of  Lake  St.  Sacrament,"  suddenly  came  upon  the  Eng- 
lish at  early  dawn  on  the  2Cth.  Only  two  boats  escaped ;  180  persons  were  made  prisoners, 
and  101  were  either  killed  or  drowned.  This  event  w::s  emphatically  the  Carnage  of  the  Lake, 
presaging  on  its  waters  what  was  soon  to  occur  on  its  shores. 

On  the  1st  of  August,  Montcalm  held  o  council  of  war  in  Northwest  Bay;  and,  on  the 
foUowing  day,  the  army  was  seen  from  the  fort  in  the  distance.  General  Webb,  who  had 
come  up  from  Fort  Edward  with  200  men,  marched  off  the  next  morning,  and  left  Fort 
William  Henry  to  its  fate.  No  one  has  attempted  to  vindicate  the  conduct  of  this  officer, 
especially  as  ho  displayed  a  similar  spirit  in  retreating  from  Oswego  the  preceding  year. 
Colonel  Munro  was  left  with  obout  500  men  in  the  garrison  and  1700  in  the  intrenchments. 
Montcalm  landed  his  soldiers  and  artillery  about  n.  mile  and  a  half  from  the  fort,  in  a  cove 
or  bay  beyond  the  range  of  its  guns.  The  Chevalier  de  Levi  took  up  his  position  directly 
in  the  rear  of  the  fort,  in  the  large  field  through  which  the  new  road  now  passes,  whilst 
the  Canadians  and  Indians  planted  themselves  on  the  old  road,  in  the  rear  of  the  intrench- 
ments. While  the  trenches  were  forming  for  the  attack  on  the  fort,  Montcalm  sent,  on  the 
8d  of  August,  a  summons  of  copitulation,  which  waf  responded  to  trith  a  strong  negative 
by  Colonel  JIunro.  Montcalm  opened  two  batteries  oa  the  5th  and  7th,  and  the  firing  waa 
kept  up  on  both  sides  with  much  spirit.  But  the  cannon  in  the  fort  was  not  equal  to  its 
defence.  Ten  of  its  largest  pieces  had  burst,  and  others  had  been  put  hora  da  combat. 
Finally,  when  Montcalm  had  established  his  approaches  on  the  plain  near  the  fort,  and 
was  about  to  open  two  more  batteries,  and  when  aU  hope  of  receiving  reinforcements  from 
General  Webb,  or  of  defending  the  fort  any  longer,  had  vanished.  Colonel  Munro  sur- 
rendered, with  terms  of  honourable  capitulation.  All  the  implements  of  war,  provisions, 
&c.  were  to  be  given  up,  and  the  officers  and  soldiers  were  to  promise  not  to  serve  in  the 
war  for  eighteen  months.  According  to  one  of  the  articles,  the  garrison  was  to  ma-ch  at 
once  to  the  intrenched  camp,  at  the  present  Fort  George ;  and  from  thence  the  whole  army, 
thus  united,  were  to  march  out  early  the  next  morning  to  Fort  Edward.  A  guard  was 
also  promised  to  protect  the  American  soldiers  from  the  Indians ;  or,  as  Article  VI.  ex- 
presses it,  "  An  officer  shall  be  given  as  an  hostage  till  the  detachment  returns  which  shall 
be  given  for  an  escort  to  his  Britannic  Majesty's  troops." 

Father  Roubaud,*  a  Jesuit  missionary  among  the  Indians  in  Montcalm's  camp,  states 
that  "  the  English  troops,  arrayed  in  beautiful  order,  marched  out  to  go  and  shut  them- 
selves up  till  the  next  day  in  their  intrenchments.  Their  march  was  not  marked  by  any 
contravention  of  the  laws  of  nations.  But  the  Indians  did  not  delay  to  strike  their  blow." 
After  the  army  had  marched  out,  they  penetrated  into  the  fort  in  crowds,  pillaged  every 
thing  they  could  find,  and  butchered  the  sick  who  were  left  behind  in  the  casemates.  These 
scenes  at  the  fort  were  to  be  followed  by  still  more  terrible  doings  at  the  intrenchments  ; 
or,  as  Father  Roubaud  writes,  "  This  was  only  a  slight  prelude  to  the  cruel  tragedy  of  the 
morrow.  Early  in  the  morning  the  Indians  began  to  assem'  le  about  the  intrenchments, 
demanding  of  the  English,  goods,  provisions,— in  a  word,  every  thing  valuable  which  their 
greedy  eyes  could  perceive :  but  these  demands  were  made  in  a  tone  which  onnounccd  that 
a  thrust  of  a  spear  would  be  the  price  of  a  refusal.  Nor  were  these  requirements  rejected 
by  the  EuKlish.     They  undressed,  they  stripped  themselves,  they  reduced  themselves  to 

*  A  long  and  Interesting  account  of  Montcalm's  expedition  was  written  by  Father  Roubaud.  It  was  tran*. 
Uted  by  Dr.  A',/.,  now  IJlshop  of  California,  and  Is,  in  his  volume,  entitled  "The  Early  Jesuit  Missions" 
published  in  1848.    The  volume  is  a  valuable  one. 


larclied  lus  detacli- 
th  of  July,  Colonel 
barges,  for  the  pur- 
rps  of  the  French, 
and  Indians,  "  who 
amo  upon  the  Eng- 
ore  made  prisoners, 
Carnage  of  the  Lake, 

t  Bay ;  and,  on  the 
ral  Webb,  who  had 
ning,  and  left  Fort 
duct  of  this  officer, 
he  preceding  year, 
the  intrenchments. 
1  the  fort,  iu  a  cove 
is  position  directly 
now  passes,  whilst 
wr  of  the  intrench- 
ntcalm  sent,  on  the 
h  a  strong  negative 
,  and  the  firing  waa 
13  not  equal  to  itu 
put  hort  da  combat. 
1  near  the  fort,  and 
cinforcements  from 
lolonel  Munro  sur- 
of  war,  provisions, 
not  to  serve  in  the 
on  was  to  march  at 
ce  the  whole  army, 
ird.  A  guard  waa 
,  as  Article  VI.  ex- 
returns  which  ihall 

aim's  camp,  states 
;o  and  shut  them- 
lot  marked  by  any 
strike  their  blow." 
rds,  pillaged  every 
e  casemates.  These 
the  intrenchments ; 
ruel  tragedy  of  the 
the  intrenchments, 
iluable  which  their 
ich  announced  that 
[uirements  rejected 
iced  themselves  to 

oubaiid.  It  was  trans- 
iarif  Jesuit  Missions/' 


65 

nothing,  to  purchase  at  least  their  lives  by  this  surrender  of  every  thing.  This  corcplinnco 
should  have  softened  the  savages ;  but  their  heart  is  not  like  that  of  ony  other  human  being ; 
you  may  soy  that  naturally  it  is  the  very  seat  of  inhumanity.  Nothing  that  had  been  done 
rendered  thorn  less  disposed  to  go  to  most  severe  extremes.  A  corps  of  the  French  troops, 
consisting  of  400  men,  appointed  to  protect  the  retreat  of  the  enemy,  arrived  and  arranged 
themselves  in  haste.  The  English  commenced  filing  out.  Woe  to  those  who  closed  the 
march,  or  to  the  stragglers  whom  illness,  or  any  other  reason,  separated  ever  so  little  from 
the  main  body !  They  were  as  good  as  dead,  and  their  lifeless  bodies  soon  strewed  the 
ground  and  covered  the  circuit  of  the  intrenchments.  This  butchery,  which  at  first  waa 
the  work  of  only  a  few  savages,  became  the  signal  which  transformed  all  into  so  many 
ferocious  beasts.  They  discharged  right  and  left  heavy  blows  with  their  hatchets  on  those 
who  came  within  their  reach.  The  massacre,  however,  was  not  of  any  duration,  nor  waa 
it  by  any  means  as  considerable  as  so  much  fury  would  have  seemed  to  give  reason  to  fear ; 
it  did  not  exceed  forty  or  fifty  men." 

The  scene  of  carnage  that  took  place  was  undoubtedly  dreadful.  Dr.  Dwight  says  that, 
"  of  the  New  Hampshire  regiment,  which  brought  up  the  rear  and  suffered  the  most,  eighty 
were  lout  out  of  two  hundred:'  The  number  who  fell  victims  to  the  savage  foe  must  havo 
been  far  greater  than  Father  Ronbaud  allows.  Indeed,  his  own  account  would  lead  the 
reader  to  expect  a  greater  loss.  The  New  Hampshire  regiment  alone  suffered  more  than 
he  estimates  for  the  whole  corps  of  2200  men.  Two  or  three  hundred  may  not  be  an  exag- 
gerated estimate  of  the  dead  in  a  scene  which,  known  as  "the  massacre  of  Fort  William 
Henry,"  filled  the  colonies  with  horror. 

To  what  extent  Montcalm  is  responsible  for  this  massacre  is  not  fully  ascertained.    He 
cannot  be  entirely  exculpated ;  for,  1.  He  knew  the  Indian  thirst  for  blood  and  pillage,  and 
had  distinctly  admitted,  in  his  summons  to  Colonel  Munro,  the  feeling  of  revenge  that  was 
lying  dormant  among  his  savage  allies.    2.  The  scenes  that  took  place  the  evening  and 
night  before,  when  the  Indians  entered  the  fort,  were  a  sufficient  warning  of  the  outbreak 
that  was  preparing  for  the  morrow.    8.  He  sent  a  detachment  of  only  400  men  to  protect 
the  colonial  troops  from  a  body  of  800  savage?  -ad  their  numerous  abettors.     The  main 
body  of  Montcalm's  army  was  encamped  near  the  site  of  the  present  Court-House  at  Cald- 
well, about  a  mile  from  the  intjenchments,  which  were  on  the  eminence  where  Fort  George 
now  stands.     The  Indians,  therefore,  had  not  the  fear  of  the  French  army  before  their 
eyes,  being  only  watched  by  a  small  detachment.    4.  Montcalm  did  not  make  his  appear- 
ance at  the  scene  of  slaughter  tiU  quite  a  long  time  after  it  had  commenced.    Father 
Roubaud  says  that  "M.  de  Montcalm,  on  account  of  the  distance  of  his  tent,  did  not  learn 
till  a  late  hour  what  was  going  on."     The  question  is  whether  his  knowledge  of  Indian  cus- 
toms in  war  ought  not  to  have  made  him  anticipate  what  was  going  on  and  promptly  sup- 
press the  outbreak  at  the  beginning  by  his  personal  presence.    He  alone  could  prevent  the 
carnage ;  and  not  even  he,  after  it  had  once  begun,  except  by  the  force  of  arms.    Father 
Roubaud  declares  that  "  Montcalm,  on  the  very  first  news  of  the  occurrence,  repaired  to 
the  spot  with  a  speed  that  marked  the  goodness  of  his  heart,"  and  that  he  used  every 
effort  to  restrain  the  savages.    But  it  was  now  too  late,  unless  he  had  brought  up  a  fresh 
detachment  of  soldiers  with  him.    The  Jesuit  missionaiy  admits  that,  after  Montcalm  had 
come  upon  the  ground,  "the  tumult,  nevertheless,  waa  constantlg  on  the  increase."  5.  Mont- 
calm had  permitted  the  same  outrages  before,  on  a  smaller  scale.    Dr.  Dwight's  narrative 
states:—"  The  marquis  had,  the  preceding  year,  violated  the  conditions  on  which  the  fort  at 
Oswego  had  been  surrendered  to  him.    He  had  permitted  the  savages  on  that  occasion  also 
to  insult  and  rob  the  garrison,  massacre  several  of  the  men  on  the  parade,  and  Lieutenant 
de  la  Court,  who  had  been  wounded  in  his  tent,  and  to  scalp  all  the  sick  in  the  hospital. 
To  close  the  scene,  he  delivered  up  twenty  of  the  garrison,  in  lieu  of  twenty  Indians  who 
had  been  killed,  to  be  disposed  of  as  these  tigers  in  human  shape  should  think  proper. 

5 


I 


i 

!    ! 


>,ii 


1  ii 


^:-i 


-j  i 


66 


The  8'i.ompt  to  vindicate  such  a  man  as  this  must  be  a  very  idle  employbient."  6.  Some 
of  the  French  writers  admit  that  the  massacre  was  tolerated,  and  that  there  was  an  indis- 
position to  use  the  proper  means  for  its  suppression.  The  ecclesiastic  who  wrote  <*  The 
History  of  Canada,  its  Church  and  its  Missions,"  says,  *'  The  prisoners  were  cruelly  mas- 
sacred bf  the  allied  savages,  whom  the  French  could  not,  or  unfortunately,  perhaps,  did  not 
wish  to  take  the  trouble  to  stop,  in  their  horrible  thirst  for  blood  and  vengeance."* 

Hard  was  the  fate  of  the  brave  soldiers.  Four  or  five  hundred  reached  Fort  Edward  that 
night  in  a  body  ;  about  as  many  more  placed  themselves  under  the  protection  of  the  French, 
and  passed  the  night  in  Fort  William  Henry ;  of  the  remainder,  those  who  survived  wan- 
dered about  singly  or  in  small  companies  until  they  reached  the  settlements.  The  guns  of 
Fort  Edward  were  fired  for  several  days,  in  order  to  give  the  stragglers  the  right  direction. 

The  French  burnt  the  fort  and  all  the  buildings  at  the  intrenchments,  and  carried  off  all 
the  guns,  ammunition,  provisions,  and  munitions  of  war ;  and,  seizing  all  the  boats,  sailed 
back  with  war-songs  and  thanksgivings  to  Ticonderoga,  Crown  Point,  Montreal,  and 
Quebec. 

Major  Putnam,  who  was  despatched  by  Qeneral  Webb  from  Fort  Edward  to  watch  the 
motions  of  the  enemy,  reached  Lake  George  just  as  the  rear  of  the  French  army  had 
started  on  its  return,  lie  gives  the  following  awful  picture  of  what  he  saw: — "The  fort 
was  entirely  destroyed  ;  the  barracks,  out-houses,  and  buildings,  were  a  heap  of  ruins ;  the 
cannon,  stores,  boats,  and  vessels,  were  all  carried  away.  The  fires  wore  still  burning — the 
smoke  and  stench  offensive  and  suffocating.  Innumerable  fragments  of  human  skulls,  and 
bones  and  carcasses  half  consumed,  were  still  frying  and  broiling  in  the  decaying  fires. 
Dead  bodies,  mangled  with  scalping-knives  and  tomahawks  in  all  the  wantonness  of  Indian 
barbarity,  were  everywhere  to  be  seen.  More  than  one  hundred  women,  butchered  and 
shockingly  mangled,  lay  upon  the  ground  still  weltering  iu  their  gore.  Devastation,  bar- 
barity, and  horror,  everywhere  appeared ;  and  the  spectacle  presented  was  too  diabolical 
and  awful  either  to  be  endured  or  described."  This  account  of  what  Putnam  saw  with  his 
own  eyes,  as  the  scene  lay  before  him  with  its  acts  all  perpetrated,  confirms  the  general 
tradition  of  the  enormity  and  extent  of  the  crime.  Putnam  probably  meant  to  describe 
the  whole  scene  at  the  fort  and  at  the  intrenchments.  There  were  "  barracks,  out-houses, 
and  buildings,"  at  both  places;  but  in  these  words  he  may  r^fer  particularly  to  the  intrtnch- 
menia,  where  most  of  the  troops  were  quartered,  ard  which  was  the  spot  where  the  last  of  the 
series  of  barbarities  was  perpetrated.  The  idea  that  Putnam's  account  i'lcludes  a  glance 
at  the  fort  and  at  the  intrenchments  best  accords  with  the  facts  of  history,  emd  does  no 
violence  to  the  narrative. 

The  ruins  of  Fort  William  Henry  still  remain,  a  memorial  of  the  old  campaign  of  1765 
and  of  the  reverses  and  massacre  of  1767.f 

The  splendid  and  imposing  hotel  which  an  enterprising  company  has  erected  for  the 
public  iu  its  immediate  proximity  stands,  like  a  hoiise  of  festivity  near  graves,  to  show 
the  contrasts  of  human  life  and  the  changes  which  a  centuiy  makes  in  the  affairs  of  men. 

*  "  CruellemflDt  musaeria  par  In  nuragei  alllSa,  qu'on  ne  pent,  on,  malhenraaaement,  pent^tre,  qu'on  ns 
vonlut  paa  ie  donner  In  pein«  d'arrtter,"  Ac. — Bittoin  de  CUnada,  ftc,  par  H.  L'AoKt  Bbabsedr  Di  Bookbodbo. 
Paris,  I8S2, 1. 202 

t  Colonel  Mont  i  >  sor  makea  a  brief  alltudon  to  the  alie  of  Fort  William  Henrj  In  a  letter  to  Captain  Oreen, 
1769.  lie  myn,  "  Major  Eyres  begnn  Fort  William  Henry  In  September,  and  It  was  finished  by  the  end  of  No- 
vember following— being  an  Irregular  square  of  about  SCO  Ibet  each  aide— with  ProTineiala  alone,  and  that 
without  any  expense."— Doc.  Hitt.  N.  K,  It.  t26 

The  plan  of  the  fort,  aa  given  in  Blodget't  Hap  of  the  Battle  of  Lake  Oeorge,  makes  Ua  dimenslou  a  Ibvrth 
largw  than  Colonel  Hontreior'a  estimate. 


iloyiuent."  6.  Some 
t  there  was  an  indis- 
;ic  who  wrote  "  The 
rs  were  cruelly  mas- 
;ely,  perhaps,  did  not 
vengeance."* 
led  Fort  Edward  that 
;ectian  of  the  French, 
9  who  survived  won- 
menta.  The  guns  of 
■s  the  right  direction. 
t8,  and  carried  off  all 
all  the  boats,  sailed 
l>oint,  Montreal,  and 

Edward  to  watch  the 
le  French  army  had 
he  saw :—"  The  fort 
9  a  heap  of  ruins ;  tho 
ere  still  burning — the 
of  human  skulls,  and 
n  the  decaying  fires, 
wantonness  of  Indian 
omen,  butchered  and 
•e.  Devastation,  bar- 
:ed  was  too  diabolical 
Putnam  saw  with  his 
confirms  the  general 
bly  meant  to  describe 
barracks,  out-houses, 
Bularly  to  the  intrench- 
it  where  the  last  of  the 
>ant  i'l^cludes  a  glance 
'  history,  and  does  no 

old  campaign  of  1755 

ly  has  erected  for  the 
near  graves,  to  show 
in  the  affairs  of  men. 


lement,  pent^tre,  qu'on  ns 
db  Bbabbeub  Dx  BoououBa. 

1  a  letter  to  Captain  Oreen, 
s  finished  by  the  end  ofNo- 
ProvlDclali  alone,  and  that 

kei  Ui  dlmenaioDs  a  Ibvrth 


--W*!-"^  i^i.-Jr^'^.J  .■ 


67 


NOTE  XXI Page  28. 


FOHT   TICONDEROQA. 


The  fort  at  Ticonderoga  was  built  in  1765,  the  same  year  that  Port  William  Henry  was 
built.  Tlie  British  fort  at  tho  inlet  of  the  lake  confronted  tho  French  fort  at  the  outlet. 
Fort  Ticonderoga  is  situated  properly  on  Lake  Champlain,  at  the  junction  of  tho  outlet  of 
Lake  George  with  Lake  Champlain.  It  was  called  by  the  French  "Fort  Vaudreuil"  or 
•'  Carillon  ;"  more  frequently  the  latter.* 

The  earliest  definite  notice  of  this  fort  obtained  by  our  camp  at  Lake  George  was  from 
the  report  of  Captain  Rogers,  the  famous  New  Hampshire  scout.  On  the  27th  of  Sep- 
tember, 1755,  lie  states,  "We  went  about  one  mile  and  a  half  farther,  and  discovered  their 
grand  encampment,  crept  through  their  guards  to  within  about  sixty  rods, /ounrf  a /or« 
building  there,  discovered  a  number  of  cannon  mounted.  We  had  a  convenient  station  for  a 
view  wliich  wo  kept  till  towards  night,  and  by  the  appearance  of  tho  tents  and  troops, 
French  and  Indians,  we  judged  them  to  be  about  three  thousand.  Their  situation  com- 
mands the  passage  at  the  caiTying-place,  [between  the  two  lakes,]  and,  we  thought,  tho 
passage  down  Champlain  from  Wood  Creek  to  Crown  Point."t  Rogers  was  right  in  this 
conjecture. 

The  works  at  Crown  Point  were  enlarged  in  1755 ;  and,  in  the  summer  of  1756,  the  Mar- 
quis de  Montcalm  visited  Crown  Point  and  Ticonderoga  almost  immediately  after  his  arrival 
in  Canada,  and  strengthened  their  fortifications  and  garrisons.  These  two  fortifications 
gave  the  French  immense  advantages  in  defending  the  approaches  to  Canada. 

Fort  Ticonderoga  was  a  point  d'appui  for  Montcalm's  expedition  down  the  lake  in  1757 
for  the  capture  of  Fort  Willio^.  Henry.  The  French  army  of  eight  thousand  men  made  a 
great  display  on  their  passage  from  Fort  Ticonderoga  to  Lake  George,  and  from  thence  to 
Fort  AVilliam  Henry. 

In  the  following  year,  Major-Genernl  Abercrombie  collected  at  Lake  George,  for  the 
capture  of  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point,  the  largest  army  yet  assembled  in  America. 
About  six  thousand  regulars  and  ten  thousand  provincials  embarked  in  nine  hundred 
bateaux  and  one  hundred  and  thirty-five  whale-boats.  The  scene  is  described  as  mag- 
mficent:  but  never  was  expedition  of  high  hope  doomed  to  so  bitter  disappointment.  Tho 
reader  is  referred  to  Bancroft's  United  States,  vol.  iv.  300-306,  for  a  full  account  of  this 
mismanaged  and  unfortunate  campaign.  Lord  Howe  fell  at  Trout  Brook,  near  its  junction 
With  the  outlet.  Montcalm  had  advanced  his  lines  about  half  a  mile  from  the  fort,  and 
thrown  up  intrenchments  protected  by  felled  trees ;  and  here,  with  thirty-six  hundred  men, 
he  bade  defiance  to  the  British  army.  Tho  latter  were  repulsed  with  the  loss  of  five  hun- 
dred and  forty-eight  killed  and  thirteen  hundred  and  eighty-f  ve  wounded.  The  French 
loss  was  one  hundred  and  four  killed  and  two  hundred  and  seventy-three  wounded.  Mont- 
calm commanded  the  centre.  The  old  intrenchments  are  still  distinctly  visible.  Aber- 
crombie retreated  the  next  day,  and  returned  to  his  camp  at  Fort  George.  This  great 
exploit  of  Montcalm  at  the  northern  extremity  of  the  lake,  together  with  lis  exploit 
against  Fort  William  Henry  at  its  southern  extremity,  the  preceding  year,  made  him 
emphatically  the  "hero  of  the  lake." 

In  1759,  the  English  again  formed  an  expedition  under  General  Amherst  against  Ticon- 
deroga and  Crown  Point;  and  this  year  the  French,  after  a  show  of  resistance  at  Fort 
Ticonderoga,  deserted  it,  set  fire  to  the  works,  and  went  down  Uke  Champlain.  The  fort 
at  Crown  Point  was  also  abandoned  without  resistance.  General  Amherst  rebuilt  and 
•  raudreufl,  after  the  French  governor  of  Canada;  (hrHUm,  in  Pwnch,  means  chime  or  noise  like  that  of  a 
waterail.    The  Indian  name  of  Ticonderoga  has  a  simiUr  origin,  meaning  "  sounding  waters." 

t  Doc.  Hist,  of  N.  Y.,  It.  261.    There  are  twenty-flinht  reports  of  the  aoouta  employed  at  uifferent  Interrals, 
The  reports  contain  curloua  and  interesting  Information. 


1 


jy*" 


Btyfenilwiiiiyiiil    Itili'ii 


i«^-4f> 


# 


68 

Btreugthcnod  both  of  these  forts.    Thns,  after  four  years  of  bloodshed,  the  objeeli  of  Gene- 
ral Johnson' t  expedition  o/17o5  were  attained. 

Fort  Ticondcroga  ie  celebrated  as  the  scene  of  the  first  successful  expedition  in  the 
Eevolutionary  War.  After  the  afiFairs  at  Lexington  and  Concord  in  March,  1776,  an  ex- 
pedition was  organized  against  Fort  Ticondoroga,  under  the  command  of  Colonels  Ethan 
Allen  and  Benedict  Arnold.  With  eighty-three  men,  the  Americans  crossed  oyer  to  the 
fort  early  in  the  morning  of  May  10th,  and  quietly  stole  up  to  the  sally-post ;  and,  following 
the  retreating  sentinel,  they  reached  the  parade  and  gave  a  tremendous  shout.  The 
garrison,  aroused  from  their  slumber  by  the  noise,  rushed  with  their  arms  to  the  parade 
only  to  be  made  prisoners.  Colonol  Allen,  finding  his  way  to  the  apartment  of  Captain 
Deluplace,  summoned  him  to  surrender.  Startled  ond  confounded  at  such  a  summons,  and 
asking  for  its  authority,  the  captain  was  still  further  amazed  at  the  memorable  reply  of 

Allen: "In  the  name  of  God  and  the  Continental  Congress!"    The  garrison  numbered 

only  forty-eight ;  but  the  military  stores  were  valuable. 

Fort  Ticonderoga  was  evacuated  by  the  Americans  on  July  6th,  1777,  on  the  approach  of 
Burgoyne.  The  lattfer  drew  up  some  cannon  on  the  high  hill  across  the  outlet  of  Lake 
George  which  completely  commanded  the  fort.  It  was  formerly  called  Sugarloaf  Hill,  now 
Mount  Defiance.  General  St.  Clair,  seeing  the  impossibility  of  further  resistance,  crossed 
over  to  Mount  Independence,  and  r  seated  towards  Fort  Edward.  This  evacuation  was 
a  very  unfortunate  event,  but  was  inevitable  under  the  circumstances. 

Fort  Ticonderoga  is  well  worth  a  visit.  The  scenery,  as  well  as  the  ruins,  is  a  ilch 
reward  to  the  traveller.  The  distance  between  the  two  lakes  is  about  four  miles.  The 
outlet  of  Loke  George,  for  two  and  a  half  miles,  "t  almost  a  continued  series  of  rapids, 
cascades,  and  waterfalls.  The  walk  from  the  lower  to  the  upper  village,  along  the  outlet, 
is  one  of  the  most  delightful  excursions  the  traveller  can  take.  Arriving  at  the  upper 
ulls,  which  are  very  beautiful,  if  he  will  pursue  his  walk  across  fields  and  over  fences  to 
a  narrow  shoot  in  the  outlet,  about  half  a  mile  above  the  falls,  he  will  no  regret  the 
trouble.     The  diflferenoe  in  the  level  of  the  two  lakes  is  about  two  hundred  feet. 


\> 


NOTE  XXII.— Page  28. 


FORT  QEORQIi. 


FoKT  Geoeob  was  built,  as  a  regular  fort  of  masonry,  by  General  Amherst,  in  1759. 
The  eminence  had,  however,  been  occupied  as  a  stronghold,  first  by  General  Johnson  in 
1755;  then  by  Colonel Munro  in  1757,  whose  intrenched  camp  was  located  there;  and 
afterwards  by  General  Abercrombie  in  1758.  A  monuscript  authority  states,  "July  12th, 
1758 :  *  *  *  Towards  evening,  the  generol  came  over  to  line  out  a  fort  on  the  Rocky  Hill, 
where  our  breastwork  was  last  year."  Abercrombie,  however,  did  not  construct  the 
masonry  works,  whose  ruins  are  yet  visible. 

The  Honourable  Geoeob  Bancroft,  the  historian  of  the  United  States,  furnished  me 
with  the  above  extract,  and  kindly  corrected  an  error  in  my  discourse,  as  published  in  the 
Albany  Express,  in  which  Fort  George  is  said  to  have  been  built  by  Abercrombie.  Mr. 
Bancroft  adds  the  following  interesting  item:— "Amherst  orrived  at  Lake  George,  June  21, 
1759.  The  very  next  day  he  and  Montresor  traced  out  the  ground  for  a  fort.  See  Mante's 
Jlistory,  page  207.  This  must  have  been  Fort  George.  I  find  this  entry  in  Knox,  i.  881 : 
"  1769,  July  4.  Our  engineers  make  great  progress  in  erecting  the  new  fort,  and  have  got 
a  fresh  supply  of  bricklayers  and  masons  from  the  three  corps  that  arrived  yesterday."* 

•  I  am  very  much  indebted  to  Mr.  l<nncroft  for  hla  prompt  reply  to  a  letter  asking  for  information.    The 


ihed,  the  olgeeti  of  Oene- 

ssfttl  expedition  in  the 
ill  March,  1775,  an  ex- 
mond  of  Colonels  Ethan 
ns  croBBed  oyer  to  the 
lly-post ;  and,  following 
remendouB  ahout.  The 
heir  arms  to  the  parade 
e  apartment  of  Captain 
at  such  a  summons,  and 
the  memorable  reply  of 
The  garrison  numbered 

1777,  on  the  approach  of 
cross  the  outlet  of  Lake 
klled  Sugarloaf  Hill,  now 
rther  resistance,  crossed 
1.  This  evacuation  was 
ces. 

as  the  ruins,  is  a  rtch 
about  four  milos.  The 
atinued  series  of  rapids, 
r  village,  along  the  outlet, 

Arriving  at  the  upper 
fields  and  over  fences  to 
s,  he  will  no  regret  the 
)  hundred  feet. 


lEBAL  Amherst,  in  1759. 
■st  by  General  Johnson  in 
was  located  there;  and 
lority  states,  "  July  12th, 
a  fort  on  the  Rocky  Hill, 
:,  did  not  construct  the 

Ited  States,  furnished  me 
)urse,  as  published  in  the 
ilt  by  Aberorombie.  Mr. 
1  at  Lake  George,  June  21, 
id  for  a  fort.  See  Mantels 
\Aa  entry  in  Knox,  i.  881 ; 
the  new  fort,  and  have  got 
liat  arrived  yesterdoy."* 

ir  asking  for  information.    The 


69 

As  General  Amherst  started  on  his  expedition  down  the  lake  on  July  21st,  Fort  Ocoree 
was  probably  finished  about  that  time.  The  fort  is  small,  and  could  be  easily  put  up  in  a 
month  with  the  resources  at  the  command  of  Qonernl  Amherst.  Colonel  John  Montresor, 
the  king  8  chief-engmcer,  found  fault,  at  the  time  of  the  erection  of  Fort  William  Henry 
with  Captain  Eyres'  selection  of  that  site.  Four  years  later.  Colonel  Montresor  selected 
the  site  of  the  "Rocky  Hill"  in  preference  to  the  old  location,  and  thus  gives  u.  a  view 
of  h.8  original  ,dea.  Almost  all  persons  will  concur  in  his  opinion  that  the  site  of  Fort 
George  is  superior  to  that  of  Fort  William  Henry. 

The  history  of  Foet  Georoe  Is  of  but  little  interest.  The  possession  of  Ticondcroga 
and  Crown  Point  drove  the  French  from  the  lakes;  and  the  capitulation  of  Quebec  and 
Montreal  followed.     Hence  Fort  George  was  not  of  any  use  in  the  Old  French  War 

In  the  war  of  the  Revolution  it  was  occvpied  by  our  troops,  but  they  retired  from  it 
before  the  formidable  force  of  Burgoyne  in  1777.  Burgoyne,  in  his  march  to  the  South, 
denved  for  a  time  the  chief  supplies  for  his  array  from  Canada  through  Lake  George  He 
occupied  the  fort  with  a  small  garrison.  From  July  28th  to  August  15th,  the  British  were 
continually  employed  in  bringing  forward  provisions  and  ammunition  from  Lake  GeorRC  to 
the  first  navigable  part  of  the  Hudson  River,  about  fifteen  miles.  Advancing  too  far  to 
keep  this  hne  as  his  support,  Burgoyne  was  obliged  to  look  elsewhere  for  his  supplies  as 
Bennuigton,  &c.  After  Burgoyne's  surrender,  Lake  George,  with  its  fort,  fell  once  more 
into  the  hands  of  the  Americans.  In  1780,  Major  Carleton  made  a  diversion  in  favour  of 
Sir  John  Johnson,  who  had  heoded  an  expedition  into  the  Mohawk  VaUey.  He  took  Fort 
George  by  surprise,  and  the  small  garrison  were  made  prisoners  of  war 

The  following  legend  about  a  trea.  -e  supposed  to  be  concealed  in  Fort  George  is  to 
be  found  m  Hotjt's  Antiquarian  Researches  ;— 

"On  the  authority  of  a  legend  preserved  in  the  Burdick  family  at  Athol,  the  grandfather 
was  m  the  Old  French  War,  and  was  present  at  the  head  of  the  lake  when  a  large  amount 
of  treasure  wns  buried  there,  to  a  portion  of  which  he  la-d  a  claim  which  he  vested  in  his 
son  David  On  the  strength  of  this  or  a  similar  legend,  a  party  of  adventurers  in  1818, 
with  windlasses  and  other  implements,  excavated  the  old  well  at  Fort  George.  They  only 
obtained  a  parcel  of  rubbish  and  a  hearty  laugh  at  one  of  their  companions  who  was  pre- 
cipitated mto  the  well— fortunately  without  damage," 


NOTE  XXIII.— Page  28. 


FOBT  OAQE. 


Fort  Gage  is  situated  on  a  high  hill  southwest  of  Fort  George,  about  a  mile  from  the 
Lake  House,  on  the  plank  road.  The  height  of  the  hill  is  the  protection  of  the  fort  on  the 
side  towards  the  lake.  Intrenchments  protect  it  on  the  other  sides.  It  was  probably  built 
in  1759,  when  General  Gage,  then  Brigadier,  was  at  the  lake,  commander  of  the  light 
infantry.    The  fort  has  no  renown  in  war,  and  there  is  scarcely  an  allusion  to  it  in  history 

General  Thomas  Gage  was  among  the  principal  military  men  in  the  war.  His  com- 
mission was  dated  2d  March,  1751.  He  came  to  this  country  with  General  Braddock. 
He  was  then  lieutenant-colonel  of  Sir  Peter  Halkefs  regiment,  which  led  the  van  across 
the  Monongahela.  Colonel  Gage's  detachment  of  three  hundred  and  fifty  men  was  the  first 
to  meet  the  enemy;  and  he  has  been  much  censured  as  the  cause  of  the  disaster,  particu- 

Zeri^  Eiat "'  '°  *"*'""'■ """'  "^"""^  '™*''  ""•  '^'^^  '"""■'*«'* '-  *'»  •"■"P"  "f  '^0  <^^* 


■^  °'-'Vfirfiii"tii  rtinJ-iiKiiTitfii 


/i^iiiMimiB 


Miaa<ii»>g>wB»'»iiMt*ig.'iinyWiwiiiWM^ 


Mimi  itji  <i»tiMiUfe'iw>i»*f'*ata«*rti>*. 


70  > 

larly  for  not  Bupporting  his  flanking  parties  at  once  instead  of  falling  back  and  becoming 
entangled  with  the  troops  sent  up  to  reinforce  him.  But  it  is  easier  for  a  second  party  to 
speak  than  for  the  first  party  to  act  right,  when  Indians  are  in  ambush.  In  1759,  Qage 
bad  the  rank  of  brigadier.  He  was  commissioned  as  major-general  in  1761,  as  lieutenant- 
general  in  1770,  and  as  general  in  1782. 

General  Gage  was  the  last  Royal  governor  of  Massachusetts.  He  was  commissioned  in 
1774.  He  ordered  the  military  moYcments  which  resulted  in  the  shedding  of  the  first  blood 
in  the  Revolutionary  War.  The  detachment  of  eight  hundred  soldiers  sent  by  him  to  destroy 
the  military  stores  at  Concord  arrived,  on  their  way,  at  Lexington,  on  April  19th,  1775, 
and  fired  upon  a  company  of  provincial  militia  assembled  there,  killing  eight  of  the  number. 
Gage  commanded  the  British  forces  at  the  battle  of  Bunker's  Hill.  His  conduct  was  nn- 
Batisfactory  to  the  king's  councillors,  and  he  was  recalled  immediately.  Some  time  after 
his  return  to  England  he  was  made  a  baronet.     Ho  died  in  1787. 


NOTE  XXIV.— Page  28. 

THE   OLD   MItlTAKY   BOAD   AND   ITS    MEMORIALS. 

The  old  road  which  General  Johnson  cut  through  the  forests  with  his  army  in  1765 
runs  the  same  general  course  as  the  plank  road,  and  is  yet  visible.  The  plank  road  fre- 
quently crosses  it.  Modern  skill  has,  of  course,  made  improvements  in  its  track,  just  as 
the  road  in  use  before  the  plank  road  probably  made  a  few  deviations  from  the  old  military 
road.  But  the  latter  road  must  have  been  almost  identical  with  the  common  road  used 
before  the  plank  road. 

The  old  road  has  some  interesting  memorials.  It  commenced  at  Fort  Edward  and 
passed  near  Glen's  Falls.  About  half  way  from  Fort  Edward  to  Lake  George  is  a  stream 
yet  called  by  the  name  of  "Half-  Way  Brook."  This  was  a  halting-place  for  all  teamsters, 
and  also  for  soldiers  on  their  marc\i.  In  1758,  after  Abercrombie  had  retreated  from 
Ticonderoga  before  Montcalm,  the  French  marauding  parties  were  very  bold  and  enter- 
prising. In  the  latter  part  of  July  they  attacked  a  regiment  at  this  place  and  killed  a 
number  of  men.  Two  weeks  later,  they  fell  upon  a  convoy  of  wagoners  at  the  same  place, 
and,  murdering  most  of  them,  seized  the  stores,  which  became  their  plunder.  This  place 
was  afterwards  protected  by  a  small  stockade  fort,  which  was  put  up  by  General  Amherst 
in  1759,  as  he  was  advancing  with  his  army  to  L&ke  George.  Mr.  Bancroft  kindly  fur- 
nished me  with  the  following  memorandum :—"  In  Knox  i.  370  is  this  entry:  'June  21st, 
1759.     The  stockade  at  the  seven-mile  post  is  finished  to-day.' "    Its  site  is  still  pointed  out. 

Going  towards  the  lake,  there  was  formerly  another  small  fort,  near  the  toll-gate,  which 
I  explored,  last  September,  with  Mr.  Brown,  the  obliging  keeper  of  the  tavern  near  the 
gate.  The  fort  stood  about  fifty  rods  east  of  the  road,  on  what  is  now  Isaac  Smith's  farm, 
nearly  opposite  to  the  house  on  the  west  side  of  the  road,  about  fifty  rods  south  of  Mr. 
Brown's  tavern.  It  enclosed  about  an  acre  and  a  half.  The  last  remnants  of  the  pickets 
were  taken  down  eight  or  nine  years  ago,  and  the  whole  was  ploughed  over.  The  site, 
however,  is  still  distinctly  seen. 

About  half  a  mile  beyond  Mr.  Brown's  and  the  toll-gate  is  Williama'  monument,  which 
is  seen  from  both  roads.  The  old  road  turns  to  the  left  at  the  toll-gate  and  goes  up  the 
rising  ground  to  where  Colonel  Williams'  detachment  met  Dieskau  about  ten  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  September  8th,  1755.  The  ambuscade  was  adroitly  arranged,  and  came  near 
cutting  off  the  whole  detachment.  Old  Hendrick  fell  in  advance  of  Williams,  and  probably 
■was  shot  down  about  a  third  of  a  mile  from  the  toll-gate. 


71 


jk  and  becoming 

,  second  party  to 

In  1759,  Qftge 

1,  as  lieutenant- 

oommiasiuned  in 
of  the  first  blood 
by  liim  to  destroy 
ipril  lOtli,  1775, 
it  of  tlie  number, 
conduct  was  un- 
Somo  time  after 


lis  army  in  1755 
e  planlc  road  fre- 
ita  track,  just  as 
a  the  old  military 
ammon  road  used 

'ort  Edward  and 
corgc  is  a  stream 
for  all  teamsters, 
d  retreated  from 
r  bold  and  enter- 
lace  and  killed  a 
it  tlie  same  place, 
ttder.  This  place 
General  Amherst 
3croft  kindly  fur- 
itry :  'June  21st, 
9  still  pointed  out. 
he  toll-gale,  which 
I  tavern  near  the 
aac  Smith's  farm, 
•ods  south  of  Mr. 
.nts  of  the  pickets 
1  over.     The  site, 

monument,  which 
;e  and  goes  up  the 

ten  o'clock  in  the 
1,  and  came  near 
Ams,  and  probably 


Jfoeh/  Brook  is  about  three-quarters  of  a  mile  beyond  Williams'  monument,  jaat  beyond 
the  point  where  the  old  road  unites  with  the  new.  Here  Colonel  WilliamH  halted  until  the 
division  under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Whiting  came  up.  During  this  lialt  the  French  and 
Indians  arranged  . '    '.r  fatal  ambuscade. 

Bloody  Pond  is  a  large  stagnant  pool,  to  the  right  of  the  road,  about  one  mile  from  the 
monument,  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  Rocky  Brook,  and  two  and  a  lialf  miles  from  the  lake. 
It  is  close  by  the  roadside,  and  is  viewed  by  the  traveller  witli  strange  and  painful  interest. 
Here  the  detachment  of  the  morning  rallied  in  their  retreat  and  made  a  short  stand  behind 
the  pond,  doing  considerable  execution.  In  this  neighbourhood,  also,  between  the  pond 
and  the  brook,  occurred  the  skirmish,  in  the  evening  of  the  same  day,  between  a  division 
of  Dieskau's  retreating  troops  and  the  companies  from  Fort  Edward  under  tho  command  of 
McQiunis.  The  latter  received  his  death-wound  in  this  engagement.  A  large  number  hav- 
ing been  killed  during  tho  day  at  this  pond  and  their  bodies  thrown  into  the  water,  the  name 
of  "Bloody  Pond"  was  given,  and  is  retained  among  the  sad  memorials  of  the  campaign. 

Lieutenant- Colonel  Cole't  detachment  of  three  hundred  men,  sent  from  the  camp  to 
cover  the  retreat  of  Williams'  tain,  mot  them  aliout  holf  a  mile  north  of  "Bloody 
Pond."  This  retreat  was  well  conducted,  under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Whiting,  of  New 
Haven,  who  commanded  the  second  Connecticut  regiment.  Tho  Baron  Diuskau  acknow- 
ledged to  General  Johnson  that  the  retreat  reflected  great  praise  upon  the  Americans. 

About  a  mile  and  a  half  north  of  Bloody  Pond,  and  one  mile  from  Lake  George,  is  Oage'a 
Hill,  so  called  from  the  fort  on  its  summit.  While  passing  near  this  hill,  Dieskau's  soldiers 
first  descried  Johnson's  camp  through  an  opening  in  the  woods,  and  the  provinciols  were 
filled  with  alarm  at  the  sight  of  their  own  retreating  detachment  and  the  advancing  corps 
of  French  regulars,  with  their  glistening  bayonets. 

The  aile  of  the  battle  of  Lake  George  is  on  the  old  road,  a  little  in  advance  of  where  Fort 
George  now  stands.  Tho  road  was  the  centre  of  the  battle-field.  The  Americans  occupied 
a  strong  position.  The  low  grounds  on  either  side,  the  lake  in  the  rear,  the  uraincncos  on 
the  left,  the  intrenchmcnt  of  trees,  and  a  good  view  in  front,  gavi  them  important 
advantages. 

Johnson's  camp  was  protected  by  a  rough  intrenchmcnt  after  the  battle,  at  which  time, 
also,  its  dimensions  were  contracted.  Ten  days  after  the  battle,  on  September  18th,  a  pro- 
position was  made  to  move  tho  camp,  probably  to  the  beautiful  plain  near  the  new  fort,  and 
on  wliich  the  splendid  "  Fort  William  Henry  Hotel"  now  stands.  It  is  also  probable  that 
Johnson  himself,  who  seems  to  have  been  very  partial  to  that  locality,  was  in  favour  of  the 
removal.  The  council  of  officers,  however,  decided  not  to  remove  the  camp,  but  "to  keep 
the  present  eiicanipmcnts,  with  the  following  alterations: — that  Colonel  Bagby  and  Colonel 
Blanchard  remove  their  encampments,  and  tho  flank-breastwork  to  run  along  tho  flank  of 
Colonel  Buggies',  and  the  rocky  eminence  on  the  left  flank,  if  found  advisable,  to  be  left 
without  tho  breastworks;  which  alterations  are  to  be  immediately  set  about."* 

The  camp  of  1757  was  located  at  the  same  spot.  The  breastworks  were  improved,  and 
huts  and  barrac'is  were  built  outside.  A  few  days  before  Fort  William  Henry  was  cap- 
tured, the  Caned'.ans  and  Indians,  who  were  posted  in  the  rear  of  the  camp,  made  an 
attack  on  the  Intrenchments,  and  came  very  near  corrying  them.  The  n  ider  will  remem- 
ber that  the  massacre  of  1757  occurred  as  the  provincials  were  marching  out  of  the  in- 
trenched camp  and  were  moving  on  the  old  road  towards  Fort  Edward. 

In  1768,  Abercrombie  still  further  improved  the  defences  of  the  hill,  and  "lined  out" 
the  extensive  intrenchments  which  are  yet  visible.  The  old  road  was  also  put  in  better 
order  by  the  army  under  his  command,  and  also  taken  care  of,  the  following  year,  when 
General  Amherst  come  to  the  lake.  Although  much  cut  up  by  the  ortillery  and  baggage- 
wagons,  it  was  nevertheless  widened,  continually  repaired,  and  reduced  to  military  order. 

*  JobDson'g  Mannwiipts. 


w*-wft<tVMi>ih'hiiti*«<*fl>ii*ji>n' 


72 


Ik 


The  old  rofttl  pnssed  down  to  the  lake,  and  then  turned  up  the  rising  ground  where  Fort 
William  Henry  stands.  This  road  was  the  one  used  for  many  years  after  the  town  of 
Bolton  was  settled.  The  town  of  Caldwell  was  sot  off  from  Bolton  in  1810,  and  the  villngu 
made  rapid  progress  for  a  short  time.  Dr.  Dwight,  who  visited  this  locality  a  second  time 
In  1811,  says,  "  I  little  thought  that  within  ten  years  tliere  would  bo  raised  up  a  beautiful 
Tillage,  »  •  *  erroneously  named  Fort  George,  which  has  been  built  on  the  western  side 
of  the  lake,  immediately  after  turning  it*  touthem  boundary."*  At  that  time  the  road  to 
Caldwell,  Bolton,  and  the  more  northern  settlements,  ran  round  the  southern  shore,  past 
Fort  William  Henry.  The  road  was  straightened,  some  thirty  years  ago,  from  a  point 
about  a  mile  from  the  Lake  House,  at  which  place  the  old  road  turns  down  to  the  right,  to 
Fort  George ;  whilst  the  new  route  went  down  the  ravine  and  over  a  small  bridge,  which 
has  since  been  enlarged  and  improved  by  the  bridge  and  embankments  of  the  plank  road. 

There  formerly  stood  a  large  building  on  the  south  shore  of  the  lokc,  northeast  of  the 
turn  of  the  old  road,  near  the  barracks  of  old  Fort  George.  It  was  between  the  fort  and 
the  loko,  close  to  the  water,  and  was  called  "  The  Long  Jfou»e."  This  building  was  erected 
for  a  hospital  in  the  Revolutionary  War.  Colonel  Trumbull,  in  his  "Reminiscences," 
writing  from  Crown  Point  in  1776,  says,  "The  sick,  who  required  the  attentions  of  a 
hoppitol,  were  twenty-eight  hundred;  so  that  when  they  wore  eent  off,  with  tho  number  of 
men  necessary  to  row  them  to  the  hoipilal,  which  had  been  established  at  the  south  end  of 
Lake  George,  a  distance  of  fifty  miles,  there  remained  but  the  shadow  of  an  army."f  In 
1800,  "The  Long  House"  was  kept  as  a  tavern  by  John  Varner.  At  that  time  there  waa 
a  log  hut  on  the  site  of  Mr.  Shcrrill's  "  Lake  House."  J 

All  along  the  old  military  road,  musket-balls,  firelocks,  buttons,  flints,  &o.  are  dug  up. 
Tho  supply  is  not  yet  exhausted.  The  following  lines  from  a  poem  by  E.  W.  B.  Casniko, 
Esq.,  faithfully  and  beautifully  describe  some  of  the  evepts  and  scenes  on  the  old  military 
road : — 

"  He  who  that  field  might  now  o'ergo, 

Where  Death  his  harvest  reaped  of  woe 
And  paled  the  warrior's  brow, 
'  >'      *  Shall  find  the  relics  of  the  fray 

Occasional  along  his  way. 

Upturned  by  spade  or  plough ; 

The  battered  bullet,  and  the  bone 

Of  fallen  friend  or  foe  unknown —  j. 

'  Mayhap  a  rusted  weapon  shown  ;— 

And  look  o'er  smiling  field  afar, 

Where  trod  the  iron  heel  of  war. 

That  dark,  sad  Pool  without  a  wave 

Of  hundreds  slain  made  easy  grave, 

Still  lies  as  dark,  as  sad,  as  deep. 

While  lilies  o'er  its  bosom  creep. 

Unconscious  that  their  beauties  grow 

From  the  forgotten  dead  below. 
.     A*    « '  The  peasant  leaves  his  toil  to  tell 

Where  the  brave  Williams  fought  and  fell; 

And  where  beside  the  ancient  path. 

When  battle's  storm  had  spent  its  wrath, 

Beneath  a  huge  pine's  whispering  crown, 

In  forest  grave  they  laid  him  down. 


•  Dwight's  Travels,  iU.  4U. 


t  Namtive  of  Pelatlah  Blcliardi. 


t  Trumbuira  Reminiscences,  p.  28. 


X.. 


TA 


ound  where  Fort 
rtcr  tlio  town  of 
),  and  the  villnge 
ty  a  second  time 
id  up  a  beautiful 
the  western  side 
time  the  road  to 
hern  shore,  past 
;o,  from  a  point 
a  to  the  right,  to 
ill  bridge,  which 
the  plank  road, 
northeast  of  the 
'een  the  fort  and 
ding  was  erected 
Reminiscences," 
attentions  of  a 
li  the  number  of 
the  touth  end  of 
in  army."!  In 
1  time  there  waa 

&o.  are  dug  up. 
W.  B.  Canniko, 
the  old  military 


Iniscences,  p.  28. 


-.v.fifv  •  ,  : ,  *          Hard  by  a  giant  boulder's  side 

»^    "I  They  show  the  spot  on  which  ho  died ;                                            ' 

"J^>P       .  And  on  its  summit,  tall  and  lone,                                                     " 

«H-     L    5  Now  stands  the  monumental  stone, 

'  To  tell  the  traveller  from  afar 

V  #  -   *  :-  '   -             That  ingrato  we  no  longer  are."* 

The  following  are  the  distances  from  Lalce  George  to  some  of  the  principal  localities  on 
the  old  military  road,  or  what  is  now  the  plank  road.  The  distances  are  as  occurate  as 
can  bo  given,  perhaps,  in  general  terms : — 

From  Lake  George  to  Fort  Qago 1  mile. 

"  "  Bloody  Pond 2J  miles. 

#  "  "  Rooky  Brook 2J     '» 

#  *•  "  Williams'  Monument 8J     " 

"  "  Toll-gate ^.  

"  "  Brown's  tavern...  {■ 4  «< 

,;  "  "  Old  picketed  fort  J  * 

"  "  Half-Way  Brook 7}  " 

«  "  "  Glen's  Falls , 9J  «« 

"  "  Fort  Edward 14J  " 

On. visiting  Fort  Edward,  last  autumn,  I  wns  disappointed  in  finding  that  the  site  of  the 
old  fort  was  becoming  cut  up  into  lots  for  small  dwellings.  The  remains  of  the  fort  are 
still  viriblo,  and  the  ground  on  three  sides  easily  traced  out.  The  ruins  of  the  barracks, 
where  Putnam  distinguished  himself  for  courage  in  putting  out  the  fire,  are  also  to  bo 
seen.  Procuring  a  bateau,  we  crossed  over  to  the  island,  which  was  the  place  of  encamp- 
ment in  the  wars.  In  rowing  up  and  down  the  Hudson  for  an  hour  at  the  "  groat  carry- 
ing-place" of  the  olden  time,  we  could  scarcely  conceive  that  this  had  once  been  the  scene 
of  so  much  busy  enterprise  and  warlike  preparation.  Lyman,  Johnson,  Putnam,  Stark, 
Schuyler,  Burgoyne,  were  all  familiar  with  the  spot.  Indeed,  the  "great  carrying-place" 
was  well  known  from  the  earliest  times  of  communication  with  Canada,  both  for  the  em- 
barkation of  goods  and  as  an  important  military  post. 


NOTE  XXV.— Page  29. 


THE  OLD  FREKCH  WAE  IN  DEFENCE  OP  PROTESTANTISM. 

The  importance  of  the  contest  whose  scenes  were  often  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Lake 
George  is  exhibited  in  its  influence  upon  the  civil  and  religious  destiny  of  our  country. 
The  Old  French  War  involved  great  issues  of  religious  and  of  political  predominance.  This 
note  has  reference  to  its  religious  character ;  and  a  few  passages  are  offered,  in  illustra- 
tion, from  Mr.  Bancroft's  "History  of  the  United  States:" 

"  The  contest  which  had  now  spread  into  both  hemispheres  began  in  America.  The 
English  colonies,  dragging  England  into  their  strife,  claimed  to  advance  their  frontiers, 
and  to  include  the  great  central  valley  of  the  continent  in  their  system.  The  American 
question,  therefore,  was,  Shall  the  continued  colonization  of  North  America  be  made  under 
the  auspices  of  English  Protestantism  and  popular  liberty,  or  shall  the  tottering  legitimacy 
of  France,  in  its  connection  with  Roman  Catholic  Christianity,  win  for  itself  new  empire 

*  Extracted  from  tho  Poem  dellTered  at  Willlamstown,  In  1866,  In  commemoration  of  Colonel  WiUiams,  by 
B.  W.  B,  Casniso,  Esq.   The  poem  is  among  tho  very  beut  productions  of  our  literary  fostlvais. 


: 


MMMUWMrtHMMMSM 


«ii«t*i.i,*fc»Ai^fii'^'.*' 


74 


in  that  licmi.>|ilicro  ?  The  qnesition  of  the  Enr^pcnn  continent  waf,  Shnll  a  Prntcatnnt 
rcvdiiitioimi  kiiiKiliini,  likt-  I'liixxia,  h«  permittcJ  to  Hmo  up  itml  grow  Rtrdn);  within  itti 
hiiirt'.'  ruii-iiliTOcI  ill  its  iiiiilv,  lit  iiitcri'xllnn  ninnl<inil,  tho  qucittion  wim,  HhiiU  tho  llefur- 
nmtion,  developed  tu  tho  fulness  of  Froo  ln<iuiry,  uuccccd  in  itn  protest  againitt  tho  Middle 
Ago? 

"A  deep  but  perhnps  unconHcious  conviction  of  approaching  decrepitude  bound  together 
tho  legitimate  Catholic  HovereignH.  In  all  Kuropo  tliero  wus  a  striving  after  reform,  Moa 
Wero  growing  weary  of  the  saperstitions  of  the  Middle  Ago  ;  of  idlers  and  beggars  shel- 
tering tliemselreM  in  sanctuaries ;  of  hopes  of  present  improvement,  suppressed  \)y  the 
anxious  terrors  of  hell  and  purgatory ;  tho  countless  monks  and  priests,  whose  vows  of 
celibacy  tempteil  to  licentiousiu'ss.  T'lo  lovers  and  upholders  of  the  past  desired  a  union 
of  the  goveinmeuts  that  rested  upon  niediicval  traditions.  For  years  had  it  been  whispered 
that  the  House  of  Austria  should  unite  itself  (irmly  with  the  House  of  Bourbon,  'i^  *  *  And 
in  .May,  175(i, — that  is,  in  the  two  liuudred  and  eightieth  year  of  the  jealous  strife  between 
the  tlouscs  of  Hapsburg  and  of  Capet, — Franco  and  Austria  put  aside  their  ancient  rivalry, 
and  joined  to  defend  the  Europe  of  tho  Middle  Age,  with  its  legitimate  despotisms,  its  aris- 
tocracies, and  itt)  ecclesiastical  powers,  against  I'rotestantisra  and  the  encroachments  of 
free  inquiry. 

"Among  the  rulers  of  the  European  continent,  Fredcricli,  with  but  four  millions  of  sub- 
jects, utood  forth  alone,  '  the  unshaken  bulwark  of  Protestantism  and  freedom  of  thought.' 
His  kingdom  itself  was  tho  offspring  of  tho  Reformation,  in  its  origin  revolutionary  and 
Protestant,  Protestantism  saw  in  him  its  champion.  As  tho  contest  advanced,  tho  fervent 
Clement  the  Thirteenth  commemorated  an  Austrian  victory  over  Prussia,  by  the  present  of 
a  consecrated  cap  and  sword ;  while,  in  the  weekly  concerts  for  prayer  in  New  England, 
petitions  went  up  for  the  I'russian  hero,  '  who  had  drawn  his  sword  in  the  cause  of  religtoua 
lilierty,  of  the  Piotestant  interest,  and  the  liberties  of  Europe,'  'His  victories,'  said 
Miiyhew,  of  Bofiton,  'are  our  own.' 

"Protestantism,  philosophic  freedom,  and  the  natant  democracy,  struggled  with  the  con- 
spiracy of  European  prejuilice  and  legitimacy,  of  priestcraft  and  despotism.  The  centre 
of  that  conspiracy  was  the  Lmpress  of  Austria,  with  tho  apostate  Elector  of  Saxony,  who 
wos  King  of  Vo\aad."—Iiaiicro/ei  llulory  of  U.  S.,  iv.  270-281. 

Tho  following  additional  testimony  to  the  religious  chnrocter  of  the  war  is  taken  from 
tip  King  of  England's  speech  to  i'ailiument,  in  175C,  and  the  replies  to  it.  The  Ki^io's 
apiech  states : — 

"It  is  my  tirst  resolution  to  apply  my  utmost  clforts  for  the  security  of  my  kingdoms, 
and  for  the  recovery  and  protection  of  tlie  possessions  and  rights  of  ray  crown  and  subjects 
in  America  and  elsewliere,  as  well  by  the  -  trongest  exertion  of  our  naval  force  as  by  other 
methods.  Another  great  object  which  I  have  at  heart,  is,  the  pruervation  of  the  Prolettant 
Religion  and  the  liberties  of  Europe,  and  in  that  view  to  adhere  to  and  encourage  my 
allies." 

In  the  address  of  the  HonsK  i,f  Lords,  they  state  that 

"  The  preservation  of  the  Protestant  Religion  and  tho  liberties  of  Europe  are  never  to  bo 
forgotten  by  us.  Of  this  pure  religion  and  these  invaluable  liberties  Great  Britain  has,  in 
all  times,  been  a  principal  bulwark,  and  cannot  fail  to  continue  so  under  yoor  Majesty's 
auspicious  reign. 

In  the  address  of  the  IIoosb  of  Commons,  they  state: — 

"Permit  us  to  assure  your  Majesty  that  your  faithful  Commons,  ezcit«d  by  zeal  for  the 
Prolettant  '  iiuse  and  the  liberties  of  Europe,  do,  with  most  unfeigned  joy,  humbly  offer 
their  congratulations  to  your  Majesty  on  the  late  signal  success  in  Germany ;  and  that  they 
will  vigorously  and  effectually  enable  your  Majesty  to  improve  the  happy  turn  of  affairs 


■Ml 


ill  ft  Protestant 
tronn  within  its 
■♦hall  tho  llefor- 
ilnHt  tho  Middle 

bound  together 
r  reform.  Men 
il  beggars  nhol- 
pprcsned  by  the 
,  wliose  vows  of 
desired  a  union 
;  been  whi.spered 
on.  *  *  *  And 
IS  strife  between 
ancient  rivalry, 
potisiuH,  its  aris- 
acrottckmcnts  of 

millions  of  sub- 
dom  of  thought,' 
svolutionaryand 
need,  the  fervent 
>y  the  proHont  of 
n  New  England, 
;ause  of  religious 
d  victories,'  said 

;led  with  the  con- 
ism.  The  centre 
f  of  Saxony,  who 


far  is  taken  from 
I  it.    Tho  Kino's 

of  my  kingdoms, 
own  and  subjects 
force  as  by  other 
1  of  the  Proleitant 
id  encourage  my 


a  are  never  to  be 
at  Britain  has,  in 
ir  your  Miycsty's 


M  by  zeal  for  the 
joy,  humbly  offer 
ny ;  and  that  they 
jpy  turn  of  affairs 


75 


tbero  ;  and,  in  particular,  to  support  your  good  ally,  the  King  of  PrusHJa,  in  8uch  a  manner 
ns  the  miignuiiiniity  and  unexampled  efforts  of  this  groat,  I'rince  in  lUfencr  nf  the  riligion 
anil   nil  Itljirtieii  of  /■Jiirnpe  doservo  and  reciuiro." 

I'riituHtuntiHni  anil  Liberty  were  thus  our  watchwords  in  tho  French  War,  whose  cam- 
paigns opened  in  1706. 


! 


m^ 


NOTE  XXVI,— Pago  30. 


SIBTVBBINO  OBATES — Till  OLD  TBEMCU   DUBIAL-OROVNP. 


A  large  number  of  tho  dead  sleep  on  the  old  battle-fields  ui  Lake  Qeorgc.  War  leaves 
its  terrible  marks  beneath  tho  soil  as  well  as  on  it. 

"  Tho  old  French  burial-ground,"  as  it  is  called,  is  in  the  woods,  not  far  from  the  public 
burial-ground,  and  to  tho  south  of  it.  In  the  course  of  time  a  number  of  these  graves 
have  been  disturbed  by  visitors,  partly  to  settle  the  ((uestion  whether  they  were  really 
graves  or  not,  partly  in  tho  hope  of  obtaining  some  article  of  curiosity,  partly  to  do  sdme- 
tliing  new  iu  an  hour  of  idleness,  partly  to  excite  attention  as  tho  hero  uf  an  exploit,  or 
from  o'her  motives  which  human  nature  furnishes  in  its  vast  depository  of  propelling  forces. 
Thoughtlessness,  rather  than  delibeiato  wantonness,  has  prompted  to  these  unchristian 
deeds.  May  nut  the  dead  bo  permitted  to  slumber  undisturbed  ?  Because  they  were 
strangers  in  a  strange  land,  shall  their  bodies  bo  exposed  by  indecent  disinterment  and 
become  the  subjects  of  vain  jesting  and  idle  curiosity  ?  Surely  there  is  a  sacrcdness  in 
the  house  of  the  grave  that  not  only  forbids  the  absence  of  violent  intrusion,  but  solicits 
thoughts  of  sympathy  and  awe,  and,  at  least,  the  manifestation  of  outward  respect.  To  dig 
into  graves  and  disturb  tho  dead  is  an  offence  against  tho  laws  of  Christian  society.  It  is 
liable  to  punishment  in  the  peaitertiiiry.  But  its  greatest  offence  is  agninst  God  and  tho 
Bcntiment  of  religion  in  tho  human  heart.  Tlie  doctrine  of  tho  resurrection  consecrates 
the  dust  of  tho  grave: — "This  corruptible  must  put  on  incorruption,  and  this  niorliil,  im- 
mortality." The  grandest  and  most  awful  associations  of  religion  bid  us  tread  softly  and 
solemnly  among  graves. 

I  am  persuaded  that  these  acts  referred  to  have  been  done  chiefly  from  want  of  considera- 
tion. Certainly  they  ought  not  to  be  vepeoted;  mid  the  object  of  this  public  protestation 
is  simply  to  caii  attention  to  tho  subject,  as  the  only  requisite  to  prevent  this  thoughtless 
conduct  in  future. 

It  ought  to  be  added  that  the  proprietors  of  tho  soil  positively  forbid  any  interference 
■with  the  graves.  Their  feelings  have  been  deeply  injured  by  several  of  these  transactions 
of  late  years.  May  a  kindly  and  seasonable  remonstrance  have  its  proper  effect !  Let  the 
dead  sleep  on !     Traveller,  thou  art  soon  to  be  in  the  gr>vve  and  numbered  with  them  !* 

*  Id  the  discourse  aa  delivored  and  Anit  printed,  I  monttoned  the  rumour  that  the  boiy  of  the  lanicnted 
WilliamB  had  been  removed  to  Wllliamstivni  and  buried  there  with  the  solemn  rlti.4  doti  to  Um  memory.  I 
wax  aurprlaed  to  find,  on  lately  reading  the  Ileport  of  the  Committee  of  the  Alumni  of  AVtlliHn>H'  CuUnge,  that 
bis  skull,  the  only  part  of  his  body  removed,  had  been  carried  away  to  Kalelgb.  North  Carolina.  See  Note 
XIV.,  where  this  information  Is  communicated.  Since  writing  that  note,  and  whilst  Noiu  X.XVI.  is  actunlly 
In  tho  printers  hands,  I  learn  that  Colonel  Williams'  nephew  died  shortly  after  his  return  to  llnleigb,  and  that 
the  skull  of  his  lamented  uncle  is  now  "probably  somewhere  in  Virginia,  but  its  pro<'iso  resting-place  Is  not 
oertain."  Ought  not  this  relic  of  the  dead  to  be  either  restored  to  the  place  of  its  military  sepulture,  or  deli- 
rered  to  the  autboiities  of  Williams'  College  for  burial  at  the  pince  of  the  cItII  tame  of  the  thoughtful  and 
honoured  founder  of  the  iDstttution?  This  suggestion  is  made  without  the  slightest  iutuution  to  cost  relleo- 
tious  anywhere. 


*  -Sl*6.'^«:^^_kw^^., 


^  =L.«^.tiX.»*' 


:^4^- 


76 


<*  ,        .    NOTE  XXVII.— P«go  31. 

MONUME.NTH    AT    LAKH    OIOBUI. 

Nptir  the  conoln^lnn  of  tho  Ilintoricnl  niscniirHC,  n  proposition  wan  tnnde  to  orcet  two 
inoniiiiK'ntM: — one  comnionioriitive  of  tho  victory  at  Liiico  (icorgo  nnil  of  tlio  otViccrs  and 
men  wlio  fell  ill  tlio  notion  ;  ami  tiio  othi-r  to  tlio  raumory  of  Ilundricic,  tho  ohl  Nochom  who 
woH  n  Htcailfiixt  frioiiil  anil  ally  of  tlio  colonicn.  A  muctiiiK  was  hold  in  tho  Lakk  IIouhk, 
on  tho  OTcnlng  of  Soptcnibcr  8th,  1855,  of  which  the  fulluwing  report  oppoarud  iu  the 
Albani/ Mornitiy  L'iprtii  of  tho  l'2th:— 

rnopoMEn  movumentii  at  tAKH  OEORaB, 

At  a  mooting  of  tho  citizens  of  CaMwoU  and  visitors,  hold  at  tho  Lalce  House,  on  the 
centonnial  anniversary  of  tho  battle  of  Lake  Ooorgo,  on  motion  of  tho  Uoir.  Dr.  Campbell, 
H.  Wood,  Esi].,  of  CaldwoU,  was  appointed  Chairman  and  D,  IJ.  Ketchum  Secretary. 

The  purpose  of  the  mooting  was  stated  by  the  llov.  Cortlandt  Van  llenssoluor,  who  offered 
the  following  resolutions : — 

Reinlved,  That  this  meeting  doom  It  expedient  to  take  measures  for  the  erection  on  the 
battle-ground  of  Lake  Qcorgo  of  a  monuiiiunt  commcmorativu  of  tho  victory  and  tributory 
to  tho  memory  of  tliotto  who  fell  in  it;  and  also  for  tho  erection  of  a  monument  to  tho 
memory  of  llcndrick,  the  Mohawk  sachem,  near  to  the  place  where  ho  is  supposed  to  have 
fallen. 

Iteiolved,  That  a  committee  of  five  be  appointed  to  collect  subscriptions,  to  select  plans, 
to  secure  the  ground,  and  to  do  nil  things  necessary  for  tho  erection  of  tho  uionaments  ia  a 
Btylo  nppropri.ito  to  tho  object  in  view. 

The  resolutions  were  adopted,  and  the  following  gentlemen  appointed  by  the  choir,  as 
tho  committee,  viz. : — 

J.  N.  Campbeli,  D.D.,  Albany. 
William  I'aumeleb,        do. 
Thomas  AnciiBALD,  Caldwell. 
:  .  David  Banks,  New  York. 

M.  W.  Pehuine,  Glen's  Falls.  .     ■       • 

Tlie  meeting  then  adjourned. 

■  H.  Wood,  Chairman. 

Beptember  8th,  1856.  .    >  D.  B.  Ketciium,  Secretory. 

It  is  to  be  hoped  that  there  Is  sufficient  public  spirit,  intelligent  appreciation,  and  sub- 
Btontial  gratitude,  in  the  present  generation,  to  secure  the  erection  of  these  monumcnta. 
Can  persons  of  wealth  do  a  better  service  without  curtailing  their  charities  than  to  give  a 
liberal  donation  for  this  purpose  ?  Tho  execution  of  the  works  will  probably  depend  upon 
tho  larger  contributions  of  a  comparatively  small  number  of  the  wealthy,  in  connection 
with  the  smaller  contributions  of  the  masses.  The  cost  of  the  monuments  ought  not  to  be 
less  than  one  thousand  dollars  each.  On  the  day  of  the  centennial  celebration,  a  lady  gave 
$5,  and  a  gentleman  $100,  towards  the  monuments.  Lot  every  one  who  thinks  well  of 
the  scheme  do  snmelhing  for  it  without  delay.  Good  wishes,  when  carried  out,  become 
GOOD  DEEDS ;  but  good  resolutions,  unexecuted,  end  in  NOTUiNa.  Contributions  may  be 
left  with  Mr.  ShciTiU,  at  the  Lake  House,  or  Mr.  Gale,  at  the  Fort  William  Henry  Hotel, 
or  may  be  sent  to  any  member  of  tho  committee,  as  may  be  most  convenient.  [The 
lamented  Judge  Pnrmelee,  who  was  on  the  committee,  has  deceased  within  the  year.] 

I  appeal,  in  behalf  of  the  monuments,  to  several  classes,  one  and  all. 

Citizens  of  Warren  county!  Remember  the  great  victory  gained  in  this  frontier  wilder- 
ness which  is  now  the  abode  of  a  prosperous  and  indebted  people.      I        ' 


In  erect  two 
(itlicors  ami 
Noclicm  who 

iAKK   IIOI'HE, 

suruii  iu  tlio 


ouse,  on  the 
)r.  Campbell, 
tetary. 
,  who  offered 


ictlon  on  the 
ind  tributory 
iment  to  the 
iQsed  to  have 

select  plans, 
Qamenta  in  a 


the  chair,  as 


aan.  ■*- 

Secretory. 

on,  and  Bub- 
monumcnta. 
lan  to  give  a 
depend  upon 
n  connection 
ght  not  to  be 
a  lady  gave 
links  well  of 
out,  become 
tions  may  be 
Henry  Hotel, 
nicnt.  [The 
le  year.] 

sntier  wilder- 


,i.--'JLMIillH 


1  < 


Mi. 


r 

rt    -Tl 


77 

Inhahititntt  of  the  Kmpirt  Slate.'  These  mcmoriaJH  of  the  oldon  time— lot  them  declare 
yoii  tlmtikful  poRscMor*  of  a  great  Inheritance,  Ought  not  Huch  an  cnniiio  to  liavo  itii 
montiimiiitH.' 

Ftllowmfmbfri  of  the  Union  !  ITcIp  forward  works  which  commemorate  coloniol  ochiovo- 
nentH.     Uriituil  wo  ntnoil,  nnd  united  we  Ntand. 

New  Kiii/ldiiileri!  Th"  lilood  of  your  siren  reddened  the  eorth,  and  In  thooo  gravoft  aro 
their  boncH.  Iu  tiie  names  of  Lyman,  and  WilUamn,  and  Putnam,  and  Stark,  give  your 
Oo-opcnitlim. 

Kngliahmen  !  The  monuments  celebrate  men  and  things  that  bring  honour  to  the  reign 
of  flcorgo  T[. 

Men  of  wfdlih !  Here  you  may  ennoble  a  portion  of  your  substance  in  perpetuating  his- 
torical records  rich  in  the  treaNures  of  heroic  patrlotlHin. 

Ladkn!  Ye  promoters  of  every  good  work,— in  iutullect  the  best  judges  and  iu  heart 
readiest  to  execute,— soy  to  all  orouud  you,  "  These  monumoufs  shall  rise  !" 

Antiqwiiiiinn,  lovers  of  histori/!  Publish  to  posterity  on  massive  granite  and  marble  tho 
names  and  the  deeds  of  a  past  century. 

Militanj  men!  The  canipalgti  of  1766  was  yours ;  yours  its  valour  of  soul,  its  victory  of 
arms,  and  its  laurels  of  fume. 

Patronn  of  the  Fine  Art)!  T.et  sculpture  show  forth  its  ideal  beauty  and  its  workman- 
ship of  skill  to  the  admiring  gaze  of  thousands  of  spectators. 

Vinilors  of  i/ie  Lake!  A  free-will  offering  for  tho  monuments  will  refresh  tho  memorfoa 
of  your  journey  and  gladden  your  return  to  these  scenes  of  attraction. 

Christiant !  Providence  was  on  the  side  of  our  country  ;  and  may  wo  not  place  hero  a 
memorial  of  its  deliverance  ?  Have  Protostontism  and  liberty  no  claims  for  jour  com- 
memoration ? 

Lki  tub  monuubntb  asosnd! 


NOTE  XXVIII. 

BLODGET'S    "PBOSPKCTIVE  view  of  the  DATTLB   NEAE  tAKE  aEOEQE." 

The  map,  which  is  prefixed  to  most  of  the  copies  of  this  pamphlet,  is  a  very  valuable 
historical  document,  illustrating  the  American  camp,  the  position  of  tho  different  regi- 
ments in  it,  nnd  the  general  circumstances  of  the  attack  and  defonce  in  the  two  engage- 
ments of  the  8th  of  September,  1765. 

This  map,  as  I  am  informed  by  Dr.  O'Caliaohak,  of  Albany,  was  originally  published 
by  Samuel  Blodget,  in  Boston,  1755.  It  was  republished  in  England  on  February  2d, 
1756,  as  appears  on  the  map,  which  was  certainly  rapid  work  for  those  times. 

The  present  map  was  engraved  from  a  London  copy  for  tho  Documentary  History  of 
New  York,  edited  by  Dr.  O'Callaghan.  At  his  kind  suggestion,  I  applied  for  the  use  of 
the  plates,  and  obtained  permission  from  the  publishers  to  have  as  many  impressions  as 
the  pamphlet  might  call  for. 

Dr.  O'Cailaohan,  replying  in  a  very  obliging  manner  to  my  second  application  to  him 
for  information,  states  that  a  notice  of  Blodget  may  be  found  in  Massachusetts  Hist. 
Coll.,  iv.  p.  163,  second  series,  which  has  been  reprinted  by  Allen  in  his  Biographical 
Dictionary.  He  adds : — "  It  seems  that  Samuel  Blodget  was  born  at  Wobmn,  Massa- 
chusetts, in  1723,  and  was  engaged  in  the  expedition  against  Louisburg  in  1745.  Hence, 
possibly,  he  was  afterwards  tempted  to  join  the  expedition  of  1755.  He  died  in  1807,  at 
Haverhill,  Massachusetts."  - 


78 


iiM 


Dr.  O'Callaghan  farther  states  that  a  copy  of  the  first  edition  of  Blodget's  map  is  in 
the  Library  of  the  American  Antiquarian  Society  of  Worcester,  Massachusetts. 

A  copy  of  Blodget's  map,  on  a  reduced  soale,  is  to  be  found  in  Mr.  Bancroft's  History 
of  the  United  States,  vol.  iv.  p.  210.  With  the  aid  of  the  references,  nineteen  in  number,  on 
this  reduced  map,  I  have  filled  up,  as  far  as  was  in  my  power,  the  thirty-nine  references  on 
the  larger  map. 

BEFERENOES   TO   THE   MAP. 

Firat  Engagement. 
1.  The  road.     2.  The  French  and  Indians.    3.  Hendrick  on  horseback.    4.  Our  men. 
6.  Our  Indians  far  within  the  ambuscade. 

Second  Engagement. 
'  6.  Canadians  and  French  Indians.  7.  Dieskau's  regulars  making  the  attack  on  the 
centre.  8.  The  road.  9.  Our  men  in  the  action  posted  in  front.  10,  The  trees  felled 
for  the  breastworks.  11.  Three  of  the  large  cannon.  12.  One  of  the  cannon  posted 
"advantageously"  on  the  eminence.  13,  14,  16,  16.  Illustrating  the  attack  on  the  right; 
particulars  not  known.  17.  The  guards  on  the  flanks  and  rear.  18.  Woods  and  swawp.  19. 
Low  ground  near  the  lake.  20.  Cannon  defending  flanks  and  rear.  21.  Baggage- wagons. 
22,  23,  24.  Military  stores  and  ammunition.  26.  Mortars.  26.  Road  to  the  lake.  27. 
Bateaux  on  Lake  Ge(^rge.  28.  Four  Storehouses.  29.  Storehouse.  80.  Iroquois 
Indians.  31.  QcneralJohnson's  tent.  32.  Major-Goneral  Lyman's  regiment.  83.  Colonel 
Harris'  regiment.  34.  Colonel  Cockcroft's  regiment.  35.  Colonel  Williams',  now  Colonel 
Pomroy's,  regiment.  36.  Colonel  Rugglos'  regiment.  37.  Colonel  Titcomb's  regiment. 
88.  Colonel  Guttridge's  regiment.     39.  Officers. 

The  heading  of  the  map  is  not  quite  accurate  in  the  number  of  troops  stated  to  bo 
engaged  on  both  sides,  and  is  quite  inaccurate  in  the  number  stated  to  be  killed  or  the 
side  of  the  French. 

I  learn  from  Samuel  F.  Haven,  Esq.,  the  librarian  of  the  American  Antiquarian  So- 
ciety, Worcester,  Mass.,  that  the  library  of  that  institution  contains  another  map  of  Lake 
George,  &c.,  published  by  Timothy  Clement,  1756.  Mr.  Haven  has  kindly  copied  for  me  the 
dedication,  which  is  as  follows  : — 

"  To  His  Excellency  William  Shirley,  Esq.,  Capt.  General  and  Gov'  in  Chief  in  and  over 
his  Majesty's  Province  of  y«  Massachusetts  Bay  in  New  England,  Major  General  and  Com- 
mander in  chief  of  all  his  Majesty's  Land  forces  in  North  America,  And  to  y*  Legislators 
of  the  several  Provinces  concerned  in  y'  Expedition  to^Crown  Point : — 

"  This  Plan  of  Hudson  Riv  from  Albany  to  Fort  Edward,  (and  the  Road  from  thence  to 
Lake  George  as  surveyed, )  Lake  George,  the  Narrows,  Crown  Point,  part  of  Lake  Champlain, 
with  its  South  Bay,  and  Wood  Creek,  according  to  y«  best  accounts  from  y«  French  Gen>» 
Plan  &  other  observations,  (by  scale  No.  1,)  and  an  Exact  Plan  of  Fort  Edward,  and  William 
Henry,  (by  scale  No.  2,)  and  y«  West  end  of  Lake  George,  and  of  y*  Land  defended  on  y« 
8th  of  Sept.  last,  &  of  our  Army's  intrenohment  afterward,  (by  scale  3,)  and  sundry  par- 
ticulars respecting  y«  late  Engagement,  with  y=  distance  and  bearing  of  Crown  point  & 
Wood  Creek  from  No.  4,  by  your  most  devoted  Humble  Serv«. 

"  Tim*  CisMENT,  Surv', 

"Haver",  Feb.  10,  1756. 

"Engraved  i>  Printed  by  Thomas  Johnston,  Boston,  New  England,  April,  1756." 

Mr.  Haven  adds :— "  The  size  of  the  Plan  is  27  by  17^  inches  within  the  border-lines. 
It  is  in  a  frame." 


«»* 


I 


Blodget'a  map  is  in 

icbusetts. 

.  Bancroft's  History 

leteen  in  number,  on 

y-nine  refcreaces  on 


back.    4.  Our  men. 


;  the  attaclc  on  the 
10,  The  trees  felled 
the  cannon  posted 
attack  on  the  right ; 
ods  and  swaiiip.  19. 
1.  Baggage- wagons. 
,d  to  the  lake.  27. 
use.  80.  Iroquois 
;iment.  83.  Colonel 
illiams',  now  Colonel 
ntcomb's  regiment. 


troops  stated  to  be 
1  to  be  killed  or  the 


3an  Antiquarian  So- 
.nother  map  of  Lake 
lly  copied  for  me  the 

in  Chief  in  and  over 
jr  General  and  Com- 
nd  to  y*  Legislators 

Boad  from  thence  to 
t  of  Lake  Champlain, 
from  y«  French  Geni» 
Edward,  and  William 
Land  defended  on  y<> 
3,)  and  sundry  par- 
ig  of  Crown  point  & 

SMENT,  Surr', 
er',  Feb.  10,  1756. 
April,  1756." 

liu  the  border-lines. 


0- 


<///<, 


//  //, 


'ff  crff///ffrf/ff 


y 


.% 


t- 


FmsT  Ein/jiuKMEy T. 


Hralr    of  Milra 
pr  Ihf  he, I  Hi  ofth,-  Hinf 

Lj 


•fnmtir/  -^t/fit/i/r/t/f/,,, 


AFimt  of 

XyuiAiu 

run»  Ciillrd 
fortXdwaTd 


VI fri  front    ftri    Enffninihtf  iit  tAf  .V  V  Shttf   LiSilir^. 


-Zii/Ai^fr/riirrn/int^ /n  , 


J. 


'/"■V" 


W//VYV/    ?  o  o  o  I'i  11  li  I  i  n I ,  //  f///  L\  to  M  n  1 1  ii  >v  k  s 


/ff,i  ///(/'//.  ><v/y//, 


Sue  O JTD  '  ^V ff^6' EME.S T.       ^ 


.i|.il#-rt 


^i//t.iAtW'iin'rr/iiia/n  fM  .  ' '  /t'>/tnrnfnf  .VM/v/r^/y  <i^^  ?  "  ^./V/ 


/W  {fH^/iMHH  A'/uidrrfM>rHfrX  fo.  »///ttiu//   \'.}' 


Gl  Prol^4Tl^^Tlef^^V//^'  ^  Si  T  T  Tj  IJ  ^o/y/f/  /tfrtr  lake   Ororoe,  .v/  //tr  r) 


?? 


Psfi' 


.V* 


/>je j*^  jfeViy.* oKMt: st 


.^' 


t 


^ 


"*'  ''*  ±  .*i '" 


*-  4  -■"'   Va  Ti  t  V   •    ^  ^        N        ■■'/'   4,'  ^T  •^'  •'    JU  >•■  '■'      •'>•'" 


>  >  -^^^ 


BtMh 


*::^/9..i 


..k^^:kii«k., 


(*opi^fi  frottf    *» n    Ettptytnthif  irt  f^f  .^*  )'  Xffth'   LtSrttrji/. 


.,^7///f.i',  fry  '■frr<-r-/fff:^  /^  //*•/  t^     '■      '"  <;• //tfA/ f  .  /j^/'rUff -"'r/  Sd^   ? 


i'  fi  y-r/tnfii/  .'/r/'rtu'yy  44f  '•'  "  //JO' 


'i  ^ii^^mm  AnuHrrtKHf  ,^fh.  t7/M/ '/  1.7! 


■'//•f"y* 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


rum 
HISTORICAL  DISCOURSE 5 

APPENDIX. 

The  Centennial  Celebration 33 

Preliminary  Measures  for  the  Celebration 33 

Account  of  the  Celebration  from  the  "Albany  Express" 33 

Notice  of  the  Regatta  on  the  Lake 35 

NOTES  TO  THE  DISCOURSE. 

Note   I.  The  Iroquois 36 

II.  Samuel  do  Champlain 37 

III.  Isaac  Jogues,  the  Jesuit  Missionary 39 

IV.  Routes  to  Canada 40 

V.  Rival  Claims  of  England  and  France 41 

VI.  The  Albany  Convention  of  1754 42 

VII.  British  Plan  of  the  Campaign  of  1755 43 

VIII.  The  Name  of  Lake  George 44 

IX.  The  Military  Tactics  of  the  two  Commanders 46 

X.  Baron  de  Dieskau 49 

XL  Le  Gardeur  de  St.  Pierre 50 

XXL  Sir  William  Johnson 51 

XIII.  Phineas  Lyman 53 

XIV.  Ephraim  Williams 54 

XV.  Hendrick,  the  Mohawk  Sachem 56 

79 


1 


m 


F-y.' 


NoTii   XVI. 

XVII. 

XVIII. 

XIX. 

XX. 

XXI. 

XXII. 

XXIII. 

XXIV. 

XXV. 

XXVI. 

XXVII. 

XXVIII. 


turn 

Iflraol  Putnam <* 57 

The  Officers  and  their  Graves 58 

ProTidonce  in  our  Favour  at  Lake  Qeorge,  1755 59 

The  Treaty  of  Paris,  1763 61 

Fort  William  Henry 61 

Fort  Ticonderoga C7 

Fort  George 68 

Fort  Gage 69 

The  Old  Military  Road  and  its  Memorials 70 

A  Contest  between  Protestantism  and  Romanism 73 

On  Disturbing  Graves 75 

The  Proposed  Monuments  at  Lake  George 76 

Blodget's  Map  of  the  Battle  of  Lake  George 77 


THE  END. 


I 


1 


TMM 

,  57 
,  58 
,  59 
,  61 
,  61 
.  07 
.  68 
,  69 
,  70 
.  73 
.  75 
.  76 
.  77 


SffqA^J 


Till-  avaiU  ol'  tlie  sale  of  tliis  IliHtorical  Discourse  will 
bo  aiipropriated   towards  the  erection  of  the   projectotl 

MoNUMKNTfi  AT  LaKE  (iKOR(]E  AND  VICINITY. 


il    *■ 


The  roador  is  referred  to  Note  XXVII,  in  the  Appendix. 


LBApTOS 


;.- s^'.X»''*-*''»*»*"- - 


auree  will 
projected 


ippeiidix. 


f  /  <^-^' 


.  ^-VA  *  r  4m»* 


>MbJ 


p 


yy' 


Ksr 


